Pics: Stanley Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Aug 25: A meeting ahead of preparation for the ordination of new bishop was held at Rosario Cultural Hall on Saturday, August 25.

Meeting was chaired by district-in-charge minister U T Khader. Bishop of Mangaluru Dr Aloysius Paul D'souza, former MLA J R Lobo, advocate MP Noronha and Rosario Cathedral rector Fr J B Crasta were present during the meeting.

Welcoming the minister and the officials, Dr Aloysius Paul said, "Without any prior request, minister took initiative to organize the meeting. It shows his interest on major community events which turns into a public event. His guidance and involvement will help us to make ordination programme a historic event,"

Khader speaking on the occasion said, "After a gap of 22 years, again Mangaluru is witnessing a historic event of ordination of a new bishop. On September 15 every road in the city will lead to Rosario Cathedral. I am proud to say that the programme is happening during our time. Thousands of people will attend this function. So it is government’s duty to maintain law and order and help the public who are coming from various parts of the state and also from neighbouring states,”

“On the programme day, officials should give more importance to traffic, water supply and cleanliness. Traffic will be managed by police department while cleanliness and water supply will be looked after by the city corporation,” he added.

He also instructed Mescom to manage power supply without any power cuts on the day of the event and proper street lights. He also instructed to arrange additional services by the KSRTC if required.

DCP Manjunath Shetty, Uma Prashanth, DCP -crime and traffic, Shantharaju, DCP, law and order, Mohammed Nazir, commissioner, MCC, Bhaskar Moily, mayor and other officers from various government departments and convenors of various committees formed for the ordination were present.

MP Noronha, Episcopal ordination organising committee co coordinator, stated that this celebration is for all members of the society since bishop is the sole person who is vested with legislative, executive and judicial power in the entire diocese. “He is the head of all Catholic churches, colleges, schools, hospitals, ashrams and other organisations who contribute around 50 percent of services in our society. Bishop is the one who establishes, runs and maintains all institutions run by Catholic churches and institutions. Since benefit is being derived by all communities of those institutions, naturally bishop consecration event will be for all.” He also appreciated the initiative taken by U T Khader.

He also said that Dr Basil D’souza was the bishop for a period of 31 years and present bishop served for 22 years. “The next bishop ordination probably will take place after 25 years. Hence this function is rarest of rare function and I request all officials to extend their whole hearted co-operation,” he said.

Fr J B Crasta, who is the chief coordinator of the event, also spoke on the occasion.

Fr Vijay Victor Lobo, Fr Rocky Fernandes, C J Simon, Fr Roopesh Madtha, Roy Castelino, Luvi Pinto and Sushil Noronha were present among others.

The consecration of newly appointed bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha will take place on September 15.