First Indian church dedicated to Blessed John Paul

(October 31, 2011) The first church in India dedicated to Blessed John Paul II was inaugurated last week in southern India’s Bangalore Archdiocese. The Holy See’s Apostolic Nuncio to India, Archbishop Salvatore Penncchio on Friday unveiled a statue dedicated to Pope John Paul II in the church dedicated to the Polish Pontiff in K. Channasandra Horamavu, in the suburbs of Bangalore city. The Archdiocese of Bangalore is the first to have a church dedicated to the Blessed who was beatified by his successor Pope Benedict XVI May 1, this year. Pope John Paul II who died on April 2, 2005, visited India in 1986 and 1999. The 2.6 meters high bronze statue of Blessed John Paul, weighing 375 kgs., was cast in Bangkok, Thailand. At his feet are depicted two national symbols, the peacock and lotus flower. The ceremony was attended by Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore and all 13 bishops from Karnataka. The nuncio, in his homily, recalled Pope John Paul II as a missionary who visited many countries, including India. Recalling Blessed John Paul’s catch phrase, “Be not afraid, cast your nets into the deep for a better catch,” the Vatican ambassador urged Indians not to be afraid to welcome Christ into their lives, and imitate him.