Bishop completes 75 years on June 21
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Jun 13: “As recognition of his service, the Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza will be felicitated on his birthday June 21 by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC). The felicitation programme will take place in the Town Hall on June 21,” said JR Lobo, MLA of Mangaluru South constituency and chief convenor of the civic felicitation committee.
Incidentally June 21 is Bishop's birthday and he is completing 75 years.
Addressing the media persons in the Bishop’s House premises, he said, “The Bishop will be felicitated by the mayor of the city corporation Harinath. A committee having the dignitaries of all religions has decided to hold the civic felicitation on June 21. A lot of service has been rendered to society through Bishop in the field of education and health care to the people of all the caste and religions.Through this felicitation, we want to convey a message to society that anyone who renders his selfless service will be respected and honoured by people,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, the convener of the felicitation and chairman of Alva's foundation Dr Mohan Alva said, “The two main aspects of the felicitation are to remember the service rendered by the Christians and the bishop to society. As a bishop for 20 years and as a priest for 50 years, he has served people of all religions.”
The Bishop will be brought to the town hall on June 21 in a procession at 3:30 pm. The pro-chancellor of Nitte University Dr Shantharam Shetty will render the felicitation address. The occasion will be graced by the Bishop of Bengaluru Arch diocese Dr Bernard Moras, Jitakanandaji of Ramakrishna Math, Quazi of Dakshina Kannada Twaka Ahmed Masliyar along with many other dignitaries from all sectors of society.
“The felicitation programme will end by 6 pm and I request everyone to be present in the Town Hall by 3:15 pm. The celebrations will not end here as the bishop will be felicitated at nine different places including Bantwal, Bajpe, Kasargod, Sullya etc till December 2016,” Lobo added.
Fr J B Crasta, MLC Ivan D'souza, secretary of the felicitation committee M P Noronha, president of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino, former mayor of MCC Jacintha Alfred and others were present for the press meet.