Friday, October 19, 2012

Udupi has new diocese since October 15

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.