Mangalore Diocese marks 125 years

(January 13, 2013) Some 50,000 people, including 25 prelates and 300 priests, took part in a solemn Mass and a celebration on Sunday bringing to a conclusion the 125th anniversary celebrations of Mangalore diocese in southern India’s Karnataka state. The Mass at the city’s Nehru Maidan was presided over by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI); and among those who joined him at the altar were the Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore. At the start of the Mass, Archbishop Hon presented a ciborium, a gift of Pope Benedict XVI to the diocese for its 125 years. Created on Jan. 25, 1887, Mangalore diocese has produced a total of 42 Bishops out of which 12 have passed away and the rest are either retired or serving in various dioceses of India. In his homily, the Archbishop Hon expressed gratitude for the blessings received during the diocese’s 125 years, and said, “Mangalore diocese has given many vocations along with rest of India.” He urged the promotion of family prayers daily as it can spiritually unite the families to face any adversity in life. Archbishop Pennachio presided over the cultural programme that followed the Mass. Cardinal Gracias appreciated the contributions of Mangalorean priests and nuns, particularly in education and health care. Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, one of the guests, addressing the gathering, re-iterated that the State government would provide a sum of Rs 50 crores for the welfare of the Christians.