Udupi: Grand Ceremony marks the inauguration of Udupi Diocese and Installation of New Bishop

By Dr. Eugene DSouza and Alphonse Mendonca
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 15 Oct 2012: In one of the most memorable gatherings of thousands of people and in the presence of  a number of dignitaries the newly formed Diocese of Udupi was inaugurated  and Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo was installed as the first Bishop of the new diocese on Monday, October 15, 2012 in a grand ceremony that started at 2 pm and ended at 7.30 pm in the huge ground of the Milagres Cathedral.

 

People from all over the Udupi District and neighboring Dakshina Kannada District had started arriving at the venue right from 12 noon so that they could occupy the vantage point in the pandal so that they could get a good view of the ceremony that would unfold on the imposing stage.

 

The programme began at 2 pm with the new Bishop Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore and Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore welcomed Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev Dr. Salvotore Pennacchio  at the entrance of the Cathedral. Rev. Fr. Stany B. Lobo, parish priest of the Cathedral garlanded the episcopal dignitaries who were taken in procession to the sound of band and peeling of the cathedral bells. Papal Nuncio, Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio unveiled the granite slab which had the inscription of the erection of the new Diocese of Udupi, thus officially inaugurating the new diocese. On entering the cathedral they knelt in front of the main altar and prayed for some time. Therefater the prelates lighted the lamp in front of the altar and proceeded to prepare for the solemn Eucharistic Mass.

 

The ceremonial mass began at 2.30 pm. The main celebrant was Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with  Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev Dr. Salvotore Pennacchio.accompanied by a number of Bishops including Archbishop of Agra Rev. Dr. Albert D’Souza and Bishop of Buraipur Rev. Dr. Salvadore Lobo, both from Moodubelle.  Over  300 priests from the new Diocese of Udupi and Mangalore occupied the seats on both sides of the main altar. As the space was not enough many of them occupied chairs in front of the main stage. The Holy mass was compeered by Fr. Ronald Serrao.

 

During the first part of the Mass, the decree by the Pope, Benedict XVI erecting the new Diocese of Udupi and appointing Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo as the first Bishop of the diocese was read out, first in Latin and then in Konkani. Thereafter, Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza handed over the Crucifix to the new Bishop and also the vessel containing Holy Water which was sprinkled by the new Bishop on the clergy and laity.

 

Next, the Papal Nuncio blessed the huge chair also known as Cathedra and the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Bernard Moras and Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza conducted the New Bishop to the Cathedra and asked him to occupy the seat. The Papal Nuncio then handed over handed over the scepter or sacred rod proclaiming to one and all that he is empowered to teach the congregation of people.

 

As the Holy mass continued,  the Holy Gospel was read by Deacon Mahesh D’Souza from Moodubelle and sermon was preached by Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras.  The offertory procession comprised of the representatives from five deaneries carrying traditional items available in the Konkan region.

 

The well trained choir sang beautifully which enhanced the spiritual atmosphere in the pandal comprising more than 12,000 people.

 

Following the end of the Holy Eucharistic celebration at around 5 pm there was a brief recess of half an hour during which snacks and cold drinks were distributed to the assembled gathering.

 

The public function began at .30 pm  with prayer dance. Next, the guests were invited to the dais.  Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev Dr. Salvotore Pennacchio presided over the function. Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore welcomed the guests followed by floral welcome.

 

 

Felicitation speeches were delivered by the dignitaries on the dais. The speakers included Sri. Jayaprakash Hegde, MP, Udupi –Chikmagalur,  Sri. Sri. Sugunendrateerta Swamiji, Puttige Mutt, Rt. Rev. Dr John S. Sadananda, Bishop, CSI Mangalore, Dr. Oscar Fernandes, Rajya Sabha Membe,  Sri. Kota Srinivas Poojary, In charge Minister of Udupi District, Sri. Raghupathi Bhat, MLA, Udupi, Sri.  Abubakar N. B, Chairman, KMDC, Smt. Veronica Cornelio, Kemmannu, Most  Rev. Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of  Bangalore.

 

Practically all the speakers stressed upon the great historical tradition of Udupi as the city of temples and the district  where communal harmony has been at its best. The religious as well as political leaders assured all help to the new diocese and pledged to work towards religious and communal harmony.

 

In his Presidential Address, Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev.  Dr  Salvotore Pennacchio   expressed happiness at the erection of the new Diocese of Udupi and installation of Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo as the first Bishop of the new diocese.

 

The newly installed Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo was felicitated by garlanding first by Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev. Dr  Salvotore Pennacchio followed by Most Rev. Dr Bernard Moras, Most Rev. Dr Ignatius Pinto, Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, Sri Leslie Lewis, Vice President, Milagres Cathedral Pastoral Council, on behalf of the Laity,  Rev. Sr. Shaila  A.C,  Superior, St. Cecily’s Convent, Udupi, on behalf of all the Rev. Sisters, Rev. Fr Lawrence Rodrigues, Parish Priest, Yermal, on behalf of all the Priests, Rev. Fr Felix Noronha, Past Vicar General, Shimoga Diocese and Ms Jessy Lobo, Sister of Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, on behalf of the family members.

 

The donors who had contributed Rs. One lakh and more were honoured by presenting candles by Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev Dr. Salvotore Pennacchio. Belelvision had contributed One Lakh Rupees towards the main stage. The candle of honour was received by Mr. Alphonse Mendonca on behalf of Bellevision  who had specially come to this function from Abudhabi.

 

In his reply to the felicitations Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo thanked everyone who had helped in making the ceremony a grand success. He assured the people of the Udupi Diocese that he will work hard to  improve the spiritual and material wellbeing of all and sought cooperation from the clergy as well as the laity.

 

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On this occasion,  Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese was honoured.  Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, the Dean of Udupi Deanery read out the felicitation oration. In his  farewell speech, Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza expressed gratitude to the people of Udupi for their cooperation throughout his tenure so far as the Bishop of undivided Mangalore Diocese and wished well both to the new Bishop and the people of the new diocese.

 

The  Vote of thanks was offered by Rev. Fr Stany B. Lobo, Vicar Vaar, Milagres Cathedral.

 

The  public felicitation programme was well compeered  as Masters of Ceremony – Mrs. Mable Menezes and  Mr. Vincent Alva.