Udupi: Preparations are in final stage for the erection of the new Diocese of Udupi

By Eugene DSouza & Alphonse Mendonca
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 13 October 2012: Just two days to go, preparations for the long awaited historic event of the erection of the new Diocese of Udupi and installation of its first Bishop, Rev. Dr. Gerald Isac Lobo on Monday, October 15, 2012 have reached the penultimate stage. To announce this great event, a press conference was held in the office of the Milagres Cathedral on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 11 am which was attended by a large number of journalists and media persons.

 

Rev. Fr. Stany B. Lobo, parish priest of Milagres Cathedral and the Convener of the Organizing Committee welcomed the journalist and media persons and briefed them about the historic event that would unfold on Monday, October 15, 2012. He said that the Bishop designate and guests will be given a grand reception at the entrance of the Milagres Cathedrtal at 2 pm.
The grand celebration of the erection of the new Diocese of Udupi and Installation of Rev. Dr. Gerald Isac Lobo will begin with the Holy Mass at 2.30 pm. Apostolic Nuncio in India Most Rev. Dr. Salvatore Pennacchio will be the principal prelate along with Bishop Rev. Dr. Gerald Isac Lobo as the main celebrant of the Holy Mass.

 

 

The Holy Mass which also includes the erection of the new Diocese of Udupi and Installation of Rev. Dr. Gerald Isac Lobo as the first Bishop of the new Diocese is expected to be over by 4.30 pm following which there will be a brief break of half an hour during which all the participants in this historic event, expected to be around 15,000 will be served snacks.

 

Following the brief recess, there will be public reception function which will be presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio in India and representative of the Pope. The Presdient of Udupi Diocese Installation Committee, Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore will welcome the guests.

 

A number of dignitaries from religious and political fields are expected to attend the reception function as guests of honour. These include: Sri Sri Sugunendratheertha Swamiji of Putthige Mutt, Rev. Dr. Bernanrd Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, Rec. Dr. J.S. Sadananda, CSI Bishop, Mangalore, Mr. Oscar Fernandes, AICC General Secretary and Rajya Sabha Member. Mr. Kota Srinivas Poojary, Minister for Muzrai and District =-in-charge of Udupi, Mr. Jayaprakash Hegde, MP-Udupi-Chikmagalur, Mr. Raghupati Bhat, MLA-Udupi, Dr. MT Reju, Deputy Commissioner, Udupi District, Mr. Aboobakkar NB, Chairman, KMDC-Bangalore, Mrs. Sunetha Poojary, Presdient, Kallianpur  Panchayat. Besides 33 Bishops and over 300 priests and religious men and women are expected to attend this function.

 

Creation of the  new Diocese of Udupi  and the appointment of the present Bishop of Shimoga Diocese Rev. Dr. Gerald Isac Lobo as the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Udupi was announced  by Pope Benedict XVI on July 16, 2012. Present Udupi Diocese had been a part of the Mangalore Diocese since 1887.