Newly formed Udupi Diocese welcomes its first Bishop

Newly formed Udupi Diocese welcomes its first Bishop

mangaloretoday.com

Udupi, Oct 18, 2012 : Rev. Dr. Gerald Lobo, the first Bishop of the newly erected Udupi Diocese, was given a grand welcomed to the diocese on Oct 17, Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church and Fr. Anil D’Souza garlanded the bishop at Karavali Junction and Boniface D’Souza, vice president of the parish pastoral parishad, welcomed the bishop in a traditional manner.

The Bishop was then taken in an open vehicle from Karavali Junction to Mother of Sorrows Church through Bannanje, Shiribeedu and Service Bus Stand.

Fr. Baptist Menezes and Fr. Stany Taura garlanded the bishop at the entrance of the church, after which a Eucharistic Adoration was held in the church.

MP Oscar Fernandes and his wife Blossom, MLA Raghupathi Bhat, Jerry Vincent Dias of Mandovi Builder, IFKCA President Louis Lobo, Udupi CMC President Kiran Kumar, Municipal Commissioner Gokuldas Nayak, Corporator Naveen Bhandary, Fishing Federation President Yashpal Suvarna, Jithesh Kediyoor of Hotel Kediyoor, and many others welcomed the bishop with garlands.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Bishop thanked everybody for their warm welcome, adding that he is overwhelmed with the love and cooperation of the people of Udupi. He said that he is familiar with Udupi diocese as he has already visited all its 47 parishes when he was in the CODP.

Stating that the people of Udupi are talented and intelligent, he said,  the focus should be on making Udupi the number one diocese in the entire country. He revealed his intention of visiting each and every church in Udupi before beginning his mission, expressing his willingness to receive feedback from everybody, right from the smallest child to the most senior citizens.

Informing his audience that the Pope has declared the current year as the Year of Faith, he urged the people to focus on their faith and beliefs. He also requested the people to remember him in their daily prayers.

The event was a huge success because of the presence and cooperation of the members of the ICYM, YCS, Catholic Sabha, and Sthree Sanghatan.

A large number of priests, nuns, and lay people were present to receive the first bishop of the new Udupi Diocese.