The episcopal ordination and installation of Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, as the 14th Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, will be held on September 15, at Rosario Cathedral, Mangaluru at 9.30 am.
Addressing reporters at the Bishop’s House in Kodialbail, Mangaluru on Monday, Mangalore Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza said that Rev Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha will be consecrated during the solemn Eucharistic celebration by Mangaluru Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza. Bangalore Archbishop Rev Dr Peter Machado and Udupi Bishop Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will be the co-consecrators.
The historical event will be witnessed by Counsellor of Papal Nuncio to India, Rev Msgr Javier D Fernandez G, who represents the Papal Nuncio to India, archbishop, around 30 bishops, priests, religious and political leaders and Catholics of Mangalore diocese, along with other invitees.
The episcopal ordination and installation is a special event as it has been taking place after 22 years in Mangaluru Diocese, said the Bishop.
There will be a mass followed by the consecration. The new Bishop will be the main celebrant. Later, a civic felicitation will be offered to the new Bishop at the ground in front of Rosario Cathedral. As many as 10,000 people are expected to attend. Urban Development and Housing Minister and District In-charge U T Khadar will offer felicitations to the new Bishop.
The Bishop further said that the Mangalore Diocese is spread geographically in the two districts - Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod, with an area of 5,924 square km, having around 2,50,000 Catholics. There are 124 parishes and 11 substations with 272 diocesan priests and 102 priests belonging to the Jesuit, Carmelite, Franciscan and 15 other congregations rendering religious services. There are as many as 50 religious congregations for women, with 1,246 sisters in 194 religious houses and convents.
The diocese runs many educational institutions, hospitals, medical and engineering colleges, social services centres, associations and movements that cater to the needs of all people in the society.
Aid to flood victims
The Bishop meanwhile said that 14 containers of food, cloth and water, worth around one crore has been sent by the Mangaluru Diocese to the victims of Kerala and Kodagu floods. Rs 65 lakh has been contributed towards the flood relief funds so far.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza has retired, after serving as the Bishop of Mangalore diocese for 22 years, from 1996 to 2018.
The Bishop said that post-retirement, he will engage himself in spiritual activities and voluntary services. He will take up preaching at various spiritual ministries and in various parishes.
Episcopal ordination and installation committee chief coordinator Fr J B Crasta, coordinator M P Noronha and Mangaluru Diocese public relations officer Fr Victor Vijay Lobo were present in the press meet.