Nearly two years after the demand for a separate diocese was
made by the people of Udupi district, the new Diocese of Udupi was
realised on October 15.
The inauguration of the diocese was held at Kallianpur Milagres cathedral grounds.
The
Udupi diocese is carved out of Mangalore diocese, to ensure better
administrative control.
The Udupi diocese was a part of Mangalore
diocese since 1887. Pope Benedict XVI announced the installation of the
diocese of Udupi on July 16.
Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will be installed as the first Bishop of the new Diocese in Udupi.
The
inauguration of the new diocese of Udupi was attended by a
large number of people including high profile dignitaries from the
coastal region and also from other parts of the country and abroad.
The
Udupi diocese is the 14th diocese in the state and 166th diocese in the
country. Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, the Bishop of Shimoga has been
appointed as the Bishop of the new diocese by Pope Benedict XVI.
Speaking
to the media persons, Milagres Cathedral Parish Priest Rev Fr Stany B
Lobo said celebrations commenced with the holy mass at the church
ground at 2.30 pm.
The Bishop was given ceremonial
reception along with other dignitaries. Following which, Eucharistic
celebrations began.
Apostolic Nuncio in India Dr Salvotore
Pennacchio was the principal prelate along with Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo as
the main celebrant of the service. Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D Souza, the
Bishop of Mangalore and president of installation ceremony welcomed
the gathering.
The new Diocese of Udupi consists of 48 parishes
belonging to Karkala, Udupi and Kundapur deaneries. There are 1.25 lakh
catholics, 58 diocesan priests, 20 religious priests/brothers and 225
sisters in Udupi diocese.
The new diocese of Udupi includes
three taluks of Udupi, Kundapur and Karkala and will be a suffragan of
the Archdiocese of Bangalore. The Church of Our Lady of Miracles is the church-cathedral of newly installed diocese.