Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (EC)

Udupi, Oct 12: "It has been the dream of our first bishop, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, since the establishment and installation of the Udupi diocese on October 15, 2012, to set up a pastoral centre, a home for retired priests and a minor seminary in the diocese. This dream will move one step closer to reality on October 15, when these three projects will be launched at the proposed diocesan land in Kinnimulky," said Fr Denis D'Sa, PRO of Udupi diocese, at a press meet organized at the Bishop's House, Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi.

Msgr Baptist Menezes briefed about the details of the three projects to be launched on the same day.

"The diocese of Udupi is completing three years of its establishment and installation of the first Bishop of Udupi on October 15, 2015. To mark this great and historical event, the diocese is all geared up to launch three major and urgently required projects, which are the pastoral centre, a home for retired priests and a minor seminary," said Msgr Menezes.

"Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will bless the foundation stones of these projects. Vinay Kumar Sorake, minister for urban development and district minister incharge, and MLA Pramod Madhwaraj will be present as chief guests along with the priests and religious of the diocese, members of the diocesan pastoral council, vice-presidents and secretaries of all the parish pastoral councils of our parishes in Udupi diocese," he added.

Giving a brief overview on the projects, he said, "The first project will be the pastoral centre which will cater to the pastoral needs of the people of the diocese of Udupi. The centre will accommodate 18 commissions of the diocese which will have their offices in this centre. Besides, the centre will also have two auditoriums and other related facilities required for seminars and other training programmes. This project is will be undertaken in three phases.

"The second project will be a home for the retired priests where the diocesan priests who having rendered selfless and dedicated ministry service throughout their priestly lives will have a home without any anxiety, fear or worries to spend their retired lives. It is an obligation on the part of the bishop to provide them with a home so that these priests live in peace having been provided with basic needs and necessities. This project would accommodate around 25 retired priests at a time.

"The third project will be a minor seminary, a training place for young men in order to carry forward the pastoral ministry in the diocese of Udupi. This place would invite aspirants for priestly life to come and see whether they could give themselves totally to the service of God and fellow human beings. Youngsters who stay here will also pursue their pre-university course. This place will accommodate around 25 students opting for priesthood," he explained.

“The pastoral centre will be installed at Kinnimulky whereas the other two projects will be undertaken opposite Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur. But the foundation stones for those projects will be included at the same place at the diocesan land," he added.

To a question about the projects, Fr Denis replied that these projects are expected to be completed in a year. The pastoral centre would cost up to Rs 9 crore, while the retired home for priests and the seminary are estimated at Rs 4 crore and Rs five crore respectively.

He also thanked all the media persons on behalf of the bishop for supporting the diocese for the past three years.

Fr Lawrence D'souza, secretary, Catholic Board of Education, also the coordinator of the pastoral commissions was present during the press meet.