(May 8, 2010) Bishop of Bellary Henry D’Souza ordained six new priests and three
new Deacons for the Diocese of Bellary on May 3 at St Anthony Cathedral. A large gathering
of priests, the religious and the lay faithful participated in the “solemn and the
deeply spiritual celebration”. “The Church of today which faces many challenges such
as scandals and lure of materialism, needs renewal, which can be made possible only
through renewal of priesthood”, declared Bishop Henry D’Souza in his address to the
priests. “The Second Vatican Council ushered in a new way of being church in the modern
world. That experience of a second Pentecost should be perused relentlessly for the
effective renewal of the Church”, added Bishop D’Souza. “Today’s priests need to shed
all that is inconsistent with their priestly state of life and contribute to the renewal
of the Catholic Church right from the grassroots level”, Bishop stated. “Also, we
need to shed excessive clericalism and move towards a church which is the ‘People
of God’ as understood by Vatican II”, Bishop added. “Priests of today need to promote
dignity of all humans, especially of women, children and the marginalized. There is
no quarter for indignity to any person”, he affirmed. “Priests need to bring down
the walls of casteism, linguistic sectarianism and narrow groupism”, Bishop urged.
“Priests with an understanding of the church as a community of love and service, which
is inclusive and dialogical, open and transparent, can contribute to the much needed
renewal”, Bishop said.