Apostolic Nuncio unveils statue of Blessed Pope John Paul II

(October 27, 2011) Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the ambassador of Vatican State to India on Tuesday unveiled and blessed the statue of Blessed John Paul II at the Church dedicated in his name at K Channasandra, Horamavu in Bangalore, Karnataka State. The Archdiocese of Bangalore is the first ever diocese in the entire country to have a church dedicated to the Blessed Pope John Paul II. All the 13 Bishops of Karnataka were present on the occasion. This great event coincided with the Karnataka Regional Bishops’ Conference Meeting between 24^th to 28^th October. The Nuncio (ambassador) and all the other dignitaries were welcomed at the entrance and led in procession to the church with the accompaniment of band and children dressed in white offering flower petals. After unveiling and blessing the statue, the Nuncio hoisted a flag before entering the church for a concelebrated High Mass. In his introductory remarks, Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore said the function was an occasion of great blessing of the Lord to all the people of the parish and the entire archdiocese and even for all other dioceses. The Nuncio in his homily urged all not to be afraid to imitate Christ who is the source of life and everything else, to lead a good and holy life. Using the words of Pope John Paul the II, he appealed to all to make Christ part of their lives by imbibing the words of the Lord. The late Pope was a missionary, went to so many countries including India twice. This statue of Blessed John Paul II weighs 375 kg and 2.06 m width completely made out of bronze metal. This image of Blessed John Paul II in his Pontifical attire has at the bottom of the statue the impression of the National bird Peacock and National Flower Lotus.