New Bishop of Mangalore Diocese - Rev Dr. P.P. Saldanha

Mangalore Today News Network

By Ivan Saldanha-Shet
 
Mangaluru, July 5, 2018: The well known tag for Mangalore, now Mangaluru, is ‘Rome of the East’ – it is still a large, active, enlightened Catholic Diocese of India, whose historicity is unique.  We have seen that 2018 makes for 450 years (1568-2018) of the arrival of the church in Mangalore proper.

In this auspicious year, Pope Francis on July 3,  Tuesday appointed a new bishop to be for  Mangalore Diocese.  Rev Dr.  Peter Paul Saldanha, the 54-year old professor of theology at the Pontifical Urban University of Rome, Italy.  This was announced in Vatican by  Pope Francis ceremonially at noon prayers; simultaneously  Rev. Dr. Aloysius P. D’Souza announced it on July 3, 2018 at 3.30 pm at the Bishops house chapel Kodialbail and the Vatican nuncio did the same in New Delhi.

The 14th Bishop: 
Fr P P. Saldanha is the 14th Bishop of Mangaluru diocese, bifurcated with Udupi seperated in 2012. The diocese now has 124 parishes with around 2.5 lakh Catholics.   He takes over from Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza, who has resigned having reached the canonical retirement age of 75 two years ago.  Bishop D’Souza steps  down after heading the Diocese of Mangalore for 22 years, and has achieved much to say the least.

Bishop-designate Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha was born on April 27, 1964, in Kinnigoli, belonging to Kirem Parish (Diocese of Mangalore).  He studied philosophy and theology at St. Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary at Jeppu, Mangalore.  He obtained a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Urban University (Rome).  He also has a diploma in depth psychology and training from the Institute of Formators in Bangalore.  On May 6, 1991, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Mangalore, by the then  Bishop Rt.Rev. Basil D’Souza,  with 11 others at St.Francis Xavier church, Bijai in the city.

Pays respects to his Parents & Ancestors:
It was indeed a great day of rejoicing to the people of Kirem parish. Fr Peter Paul Saldanha, hailing from Kirem parish, has been appointed the new bishop of Mangalore Diocese. 

Most Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore escorted the new bishop to Kirem parish. The new bishop was welcomed with the chiming of bells. Fr Victor D’Mello, the Parish Priest (also his batch mate), welcomed the new bishop with a garland of traditional local grown Jasmines. Several parishioners were present in the church to witness this auspicious event. After the prayers, the people assembled to greet the new bishop. Thereafter, the new bishop proceeded to the cemetery and paid homage to his parents and ancestors, along with close family.

Brief on new Bishop:
He is an intellectual of promise,  deeply spiritual with multi faceted abilities. He earned the first rank in  the Bachelor of Theology degree and  briefly served as an Assistant Parish  Priest at Moodubelle parish (now Udupi diocese) and in Milagres Parish,  Mangalore as well as other assignments mainly at the diocdesan seminary.   He later went to Rome and earned  a Licentiate and Doctorate in Biblical  Revelation in 2001 and 2005 respectively from Pontifical Urban University, (Pontificia Universita Urbaniana),  where he has been on the faculty

In March 2015, he was appointed Consultor to the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. He explained he is a permanent faculty of this faous university, with the right to serve till te rioe old age of 80 yrs.  Mangalore is fortunate that on the suggestion of Pope Francis, he decided to take this appointment whole heartedly as a call from the LORD.    Rev Fr. Peter Paul  Saldanha has been a self effacing priest   of Mangalore, held in high esteem and   awe among scholars and his students  in Rome and many at home.

Approachable, jovial with humor to rule and unassuming, down to earth, his  special quality is being a good listener  ready to hear anyone with a need.   A book he has authored has made  waves in many a circle. Titled "The  Church: Mystery of Love and  Communion", the subject reveals the  depth and commitment he has for the  church and people. Perhaps, it is with  some good reason that many people on his home turf of Mangaluru are looking forward to see him work closer to home.

The Bishop designate is expected to normally take charge of his new portfolio in about 2 months.  His  consecration too will be simultaneous. In Mangaluru this event can be expected to be one of great significance and joy.  Not only time is needed to make the many arrangements, but the new Bishop will need to examine matters and records and make him self familiar with the organisation.  In this case Rev Dr. Saldanha, has been away from Mangaluru in Rome for long.

The consecration, will be similar to the rite of ordination, but will be conducted by a cardinal or more than one Bishop. The venue will have to be of a prime location as thousands will be in attendance with several VVIPs present too.  The newly consecrated bishop will be vested with : Miter for holiness and spirituality, Crosier for healing and guiding, Ring for fidelity and authority.