Mangalore Bishop celebrated 15 years of Episcopacy
By Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno
Pictures By Violet Pereira
Mangalore, 15 May 2011: The Bishop of Mangalore Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza celebrated 15 years of his successful episcopacy today 15th of May at the Bishop’s House Campus situated in Kodialbail-Mangalore.
Together with Most Rev. Dr Vincent Concesao the Archbishop of Delhi Archdiocese and nearly 100 diocesan and religious priests and many lay leaders of the Diocesan administration, the Bishop celebrated the Thanksgiving Eucharist in the Our Lady of Dolours Chapel of Bishop’s House.
During the homily Fr Joseph Martis the Rector of St Joseph’s Inter-diocesan Seminary Jeppu said while the whole Catholic world celebrates the ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’ today we are simultaneously celebrating the 15 years of the Good Shepherd of Mangalore.
Basing on the Parable of the lost sheep in Chapter 15 of Luke he highlighted three rare qualities and languages of the good Shepherd. A good Shepherd speaks the language of seeking the lost with concern, language of love and forgiveness at the finding of the lost and the language of instilling hope in the lost in celebrating the event after finding the lost. He concluded that the three languages have been realized in the person of Bishop Aloysius.
During the short felicitation function that followed Mr Gerald D’Costa the Secretary of the Mangalore Diocesan Pastoral Council highlighted the achievements of the 15 years of the episcopacy of the Bishop as the shepherd of the people of the Diocese of Mangalore.
According to his felicitation note the Bishop is the inspiration to upgrade number of high schools into Pre University and degree colleges which has given opportunities to the youth to learn further.
The Bishop is the guide and motivator for the number of socio-economic empowering programmes in the Diocese especially help to the poor to attain higher education, renovation and building of houses for the poor, medical help to the poor patients through Decennial Medical Fund etc and etc.
Bishop is the leader behind establishing the medical and engineering Colleges in the Diocese. He animated the inter-religious and inter-denominational activities especially through the mega rally that was organized in Mangalore opposing the final report of the Justice B.K. Somashekar Commission.
The Chief guest Archbishop Vincent Concesao honoured and greeted the Bishop saying that there is a great appreciation by the people of Mangalore Diocese for the leadership of Bishop Aloysius.
Responding to the felicitation by the Diocese, the Bishop of Mangalore said that he is happy that he has become the instrument of God’s love and compassion to the people of his Diocese as his episcopal motto is ‘In the love and compassion of Jesus Christ’.
In his address he said that the Medical Relief Fund that was established on the occasion of 10 years of his episcopacy in 2006 has reached Rs 1crore and 70 lacks. Through that Rs 50 lacks have been given as help till now to 427 poor patients of major sicknesses.
The fund that was begun two years ago as to help the poor to build and renovate the house has reached 15 lacks. Till now Rs 9 lacks have been given as help to 111 families.
He opined that the good works that have taken place in the Diocese under his leadership were possible because of the teamwork and goodwill of number of lay people, religious and priests. ‘Much more is to be done in the near future for which everyone’s cooperation is required’ he said.
While Vicar General Msgr Denis Prabhu welcomed the gathering, Chancellor Fr Henry Sequeira proposed vote of thanks. Secretary of Senate Fr J.B. Crasta, President of Catholic Religious of India (Mangalore CRI) Sr Cecilia Mendonca, President of Catholic Lawyers’ guild Mr M.P. Noronha, PRO Fr William Menezes, Procurator Fr Maxim Noronha, Episcopal Vicar of Udupi Fr Baptist Menezes, Vicar Foranes, Provincials and many lay leaders were present. Fr Prakash Monteiro compeer the programme.
The Diocese of Mangalore established in 1886 is spread out in three districts of South Kanara, Udupi and Kasaragod across 9,425 square kilometers. This year it is celebrating the post centenary silver jubilee of its establishment with number of people oriented programmes. It has 3,85,000 Catholics spread out in 159 parishes divided into 15 deaneries. It has 26 substations and number of socio-educational institutions.