Mangalore: Countdown has Begun on Formation of Udupi Diocese 

by Melka Miyar - Daijiworld Media Network Mangalore

• Mangalore to be a new Archdiocese

Mangalore, May 22: The Mangalore diocese, known to be one of the richest and most popular dioceses in India, is soon going to be bifurcated into two dioceses. The process to create separate diocese of Udupi is under way. In fact the process is on fast track.

Daijiworld.com has learnt from reliable sources that the process was initiated about a decade ago, but only now things have been gathering momentum.

Because of existence of a large number of parishes and the geographical extent of the diocese, there was a feeling among the parishes from Kundapur varado region that they were not able to get the personal, individual attention from Mangalore diocese.

There was a talk about a new Udupi diocese over thirty years ago, when Msgr William A Lewis (now deceased) laid down his charge as the Vicar Capitular - an interim promotion from his post of Vicar General - upon appointment of a new Bishop in Mangalore, and it was widely believed that he would be the first Bishop of the new Udupi or Kallianpur diocese. Things stayed at that and nothing happened thereafter.

The demand for separate Udupi Diocese became stronger when the Udupi revenue district was formed about a decade ago.

Later Young Christian Students (YCS) association of Udupi district was separated from Mangalore Diocese. At the same time, members of Udupi district Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) also requested the bishop to separate them from Mangalore Diocese and to form a separate Central Council for Udupi district.

The demand was fulfilled in 2004 when Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza showed the green signal to form a separate Central Council for ICYM in Udupi district. Then the remaining demand was to form a separate Diocese for Udupi district.

Fr Valerian D`Souza

Daijiworld.com has now reliably learnt that the new Diocese would consist of 3 Taluks and 5 deaneries of Kallianpur, Shirva, Karkala, Kundapur and Udupi, consisting of 47 parishes. Sources say that Moodubelle parish which comes under Udupi Varado was newly designated few years ago as the centre of Udupi district. But decision may vary as Udupi parish or Kallianpur-Milagres parish are also in the reckoning as new diocese centres.

Fr Baptist Menezes

Initially, there were reports that Fr Baptist Menezes, currently director of Fr Muller Charitable Institutions would be the new Bishop for Udupi Diocese when officially Diocese is formed. This plan may be going in the right direction as Fr Baptist will now be transferred as the Episcopal vicar of Udupi. It is not still not confirmed whether Fr Baptist will take over the position as Moodubelle parish priest like the incumbent Fr Valerian did or of any other neibouring parish.

It is not known when exactly the new diocese will be formed since the process, to be initiated in the Vatican and then implemented down the line, is a long-winding one. However, a senior priest of the diocese, who spoke exclusively daijiworld on condition of anonymity, said this process had been underway over the last five years or so. Initially Fr Valerian D`Souza, a veteran priest, was transferred to Moodubelle for speeding up the process.

Whoever takes over as the new Bishop, the path ahead is not an easy one for him.  There are many aspirants among the priests of Udupi district for the post of the Bishop. Creating the infrastructure for the new Diocesan centre would be a challenge for the new bishop.

Mangalore to be Archdiocese:

Sources have also confirmed that the Mangalore Diocese would be upgraded as an Archdiocese soon. At the same time, Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza will be promoted as Archbishop. Udupi, Karwar and Chikmagalur dioceses are to be brought under the jurisdiction of the Mangalore Archdiocese later.  

Incumbent Bishop Aloysius is popular in Mangalore Diocese and known for his developmental activities in Mangalore. His polite and down-to-earth nature has bought many families together and unity among the community members and also interreligious harmony.

If Mangalore becomes an Archdiocese, Bishop Aloysius richly deserves the highest post in the region, that of the Archbishop.

Note to the readers:

Dear readers, as the above process is authentic and very soon going to be implemented, valuable and constructive suggestions are invited from the region, from both Udupi and Mangalore district.  

Please use the comment box below for your comments.