Bangalore Archdiocese launches Year of Faith and its diamond jubilee

October 22, 2012 - The Archdiocese of Bangalore in southern India’s Karnataka state on Sunday officially inaugurated the Year of Faith as well as its diamond jubilee. The diocese of Bangalore was established on 13th February, 1940 and was elevated to an Archdiocese on 13th September, 1953. During the past 72 years, especially since it became an archdiocese, it has seen tremendous growth in various fields, such as pastoral, educational, medical and social. The archdiocese has many parishes and institutions spread in six civil districts of Karnataka. On Sunday all the parishes of the archdiocese were urged to formally launch the twin events whose theme is, "To deepen our Faith to build the Community of Love.” In a pastoral letter Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore said, “The Jubilee Year is an occasion for us to thank God wholeheartedly and to recommit ourselves to continue his mission with renewed vigour and strength.” Among the several focusses of the Year of Faith and the jubilee are renewal of personal life, families, promotion of Christian unity, inter-religious dialogue and witness and service to the poor and marginalized. Archbishop Moras has appealed to the Catholic Community of the Archdiocese to celebrate the events meaningfully and spiritually by promoting true unity and brotherhood among one and all. Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated the Year of Faith on Oct. 11 with a Mass in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. The year-long celebration, that will conclude on Nov 24 2013.