By Rons Bantwal

Mumbai (RBI), Nov.15: To mark the Golden Jubilee of the priestly ordination of Most Rev. Leo Cornelio, the Archbishop of Bhopal, a felicitation function was held at the Assumption Church,AreraColony, Bhopal. The function was organized by the members of the Assumption Church Bhopal.

The Holy Mass was held in the morning followed by the felicitation which began with cake cutting. Archbishop Leo Cornelio in his address exhorted people to lead a meaningful life in the service of needy people without any discrimination of caste or creed. To be in the service of someone is an opportunity given by God and it is upto us whether we utilize that opportunity or ignore it and move on in life. Jesus Christ always cared for the poor and downtrodden people and believed in their upliftment, both physical and spiritual.

As the Bishop of Khandwa diocese and as Archbishop of Bhopal, he said that he always gave thrust to areas like Faith formation, Spirituality, Education, Health Care, Relief and Rehabilitation, Youth animation, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. All the same, we need to do more in these areas to build up an egalitarian society.

Recalling the contributions of Archbishop Leo Cornelio, Parish Priest FrSilbiriusTigga, said that it is due to his effort that many educational institutions, old age homes, health care centres, social welfare centres have come up in the Archdiocese. During the felicitation, Fr. Melvin C.J., Principal St. Joseph’s Co-Ed School, Mrs Harsha Joaquim, Mr OD Joseph, the Parish Secretary, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the achievements and contributions of Archbishop Leo Cornelio towards human welfare.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio took charge of Bhopal Archdiocese in September, 2007 and worked since then with much zeal and enthusiasm. He was ordained as a priest on 14 November 1972and served in different parts of India and abroad. He has served in many countries abroad and held various responsibilities before becoming the Bishop of Khandwa. As a General Councillor in Rome, he has travelled far and wide in countries like the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Caribbean Islands, South America, Africa, and several other countries of Asia as well as Europe, and has participated in many international meetings and conferences. Besides being well acquainted with several Indian languages and English, he is also proficient in Italian, Spanish, French, German and Indonesian.