Fr Francis Serrao SJ assumes charge as New Bishop of Shimoga

Media Release

Shimoga, 9 May 2014: The solemn Episcopal consecration celebration of Fr Francis Serrao SJ was held Sacred Heart Cathedral, here on Wednesday May 7. Fr Serrao was consecrated Bishop of Shimoga diocese and on the same day he took canonical possession of the diocese and started his pastoral ministry with the pastoral motto ‘Service of Faith Fullness of Life.’
 
 
The principal consecrator was Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal. It was his first visit to the diocese of Shimoga. During the homily he said, the core pastoral ministry of a bishop is to serve. By serving the faithful entrusted to his pastoral care, the bishop follows the example of Christ.
 
 
The co-consecrators were Archbishop Bernard Moras, the archbishop of Bangalore Archdiocese; Archbishop Vincent Michael Concessao, bishop emeritus of Delhi Archdiocese; bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the bishop of Mangalore; Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi; Peter Machado, bishop of Belgaum; Dr Thomasappa Anthony Swamy, bishop of Chikmagalur; Dr Thomas Anthony Vazhapilly, bishop of Mysore; Dr Robert Miranda, bishop of Gulbarga; Mar George Njaralakkattu, Syro-Malabar bishop of Mandya; Mar Joseph Arumachadath, Syro-Malabar bishop of Bhadravathi; Alex Vadakkumthala, bishop of Kannur and Dr Henry D’Souza, bishop of Bellary who was also the apostolic administrator of the Shimoga diocese.

 

 
 
Monsignor Romanus Mbena, first counselor who accompanied Apostolic Nuncio was also present and read the Mandate from the Holy See in Latin before the consecration ceremony.
 
 
After the consecration all the priests of the diocese paid honor and obedience to the New Ordinary. At the same celebration were present a great number of Jesuits priests from Karnataka and other provinces, priests from other dioceses, women religious, and huge number of faithful, family members, friends and people of other faith to show their love and happiness for the new bishop.
 
A number of political dignitaries were present, among them were Oscar Fernandes, the central minister for road transport and highways, K Abhaychandra Jain, Karnataka state minister for youth services and fisheries and MLAs from Mangalore and Shimoga.
 
After the Holy Eucharist there was felicitation function to Dr Francis Serrao, the new bishop of Shimoga during which the Apostolic Nuncio and all other dignitaries were honored on behalf of the faithful of the diocese of Shimoga.