Fr Geevarghese Mar Divannasios Takes Over as Bishop of Puttur Diocese
Pics by Prakash Nelyadi
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)
Puttur, Apr 16: The first diocese of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in the state was inaugurated here on Thursday April 15. At a religious ceremony held at Noojibaltila St Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church for the inaugural of the new diocese and the installation of the bishop, Dr Geevarghese Mar Divannasios took over as the new bishop of Puttur. The new Bishop was hitherto functioning as the Bishop of Sultan Bathery diocese of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in Kerala.
Speaking on the occasion, the new Bishop said, “The Syro-Malankara Catholic diocese that has newly come into existence, will adapt itself to the local language and culture in its functioning. It will aim at helping the people to be self reliant and will work for the general economic progress of the land.”
Major Archbishop of Malankara Catholic Church, Mar Baselios Cleemis Bava, who presided, also said that the new diocese will aim at improving the standards of living of 4,000 Malankara Christian families in Karnataka and also to cultivate Malankara Catholic culture here.
Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, wanted the churches to work towards conserving the refinement and culture of the land, along with achieving their own growth. The new Bishop appointed Fr Goerge Kalayil and Fr Koshy Kakanat as the vicar generals of the new diocese.
Archbishop of Bangalore, Dr Bernard Moras, delivered the benedictory address. Beltangady bishop, Lawrence Mukkuzhy, conveyed best wishes for the new diocese and the bishop. Bishop Mar Thomas, former minister and MLA, Ramanath Rai, former MP, Vinaykumar Sorake, superior general of Bethany Ashram, Fr Jose Mariadas, mother general of the Sisters of Charity, Bartholomew and MCA representative, P C Marcos, who were guests, also addressed the gathering.
Various other religious leaders were present. Fr George Kalayil, welcomed. Fr William Nedumputtaratt proposed vote of thanks. P K Cherian, Shaila George and Fr Philip Nellivila compered the programme.
The new bishop was accorded a grand welcome at Kadaba in the morning. Eucharist, religious discourse and enthronement of the new bishop etc., were organized at the Noojibaltila church.