Events
Platinum Jubilee of the Diocese of Bellary concluded with the Thanksgiving Eucharist
NOV.28, 2024

The Platinum Jubilee celebrations concluded with the Thanksgiving Eucharist at Adhyatma Center, Ballari Arogya Mathe Shrine Premises, Cantonment, Bellary on Thursday , the 28th November, 2024.

A large number of Priests, members of Religious Communities and representatives of the Parish communities of Bellary, Vijayanagara ,Raichur, and Koppal districts and other parts of Karnataka State and the Country participated in the historical event of the diocese.

Most Rev. Dr. Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio for India and Nepal was the President of the event.

Most Rev. Dr. Leopoldo Girelli , the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop George Anthony Swamy (Madras-Mylapore) & Vice President CBCI & CCBI, Archbishop Peter Machado (Bangalore), Bishops Most Rev. Derrick Fernandes ( Belgaum), Most Rev. Lawrence Mukkuzhy( Belthangady), Most Rev. Joseph Arumachadath, mcbs( Bhadravati), Most Rev. Thomasappa Anthony Swamy,(Chikmagalur), Most Rev. Robert Miranda( Gulbarga), Most Rev. Duming Dias,( Karwar), Most Rev. Sebastin Adyantharath CMI,( Mandya), Most Rev. Peter Paul Saldhana (Mangalore), Archbishop Emiritus Bernard Moras, Apostolic Administrator of Mysore, Most Rev.Geevarghese Mar Makarios,( Puttur), Most Rev. Francis Serrao (Shimoga), Most Rev. Arokiaraj Satiskumar,Auxiliary Bishop of Bangalore, Most Rev. Joseph Susainathan,Auxiliary Bishop of Bangalore, Most Rev. William Antony ( Bishop Emiritus Mysore), Bishop Udumala Bala ( Warangal) graced the occasion.

Prior to the thanksgiving Eucharist, the Nuncio launched the Platinum Jubilee memorial - Mount Calvary Shrine Church, TB Dam.

Abp George Anthonysamy of Madras-Mylapore & Vice President - CBCI & CCBI, launched the 165-year old renovated Assumption Church, Cantonment, Bellary.

“Amrutha Shishya Niketan of Disciples of Jesus, Kottur” and “The new foundation of Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna”, a new community at Vidyanagar were launched by Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore and Abp Bernard Moras, Emeritus Archbishop of Bangalore and Apostolic Administrator of Mysore respectively.

Also, Bishop Lawrence Mukkuzhy of Belthangady released PRARTHANAMRUTHA – Bellary Diocesan Family Prayer Book. Bishop Gerald Lobo of Udupi released Bellary Diocesan Pastoral Plan. Msgr. Ilario Girelli released “Amrutha Ballari Dharmakshetra – diocesan directory”. Rev. Giuseppe Locatetelli released “Amruthanjali – the Platinum Jubilee Souvenir”.

Thereafter, the following persons were honoured for their outstanding services to the diocese: Mill Hill Missionaries (Fr Thomas, Regional Representative-India Region); Order of Friars Minor (Fr Xavier OFM, Provincial); Sisters of Good Shepherd (Sr Shanty Chacko RGS, Community Leader); Sisters of OL of Fatima (Sr Florence FS, Provincial) and Sisters of St Ann of Providence (Sr Jacintha Saldanha, SAP, Provincial). It was followed by honouring lay persons for their distinguished and dedicated service to the community:Sri Francis Xavier (Cathedral), Smt Elizamma Kathriki (Manvi), Sri Pope Chinnappa (Gangavati), Smt Saveriamma, TB Dam–Hospet,Sri Prakashappa Kandalli (Naganur-Lingsugur) and Sri Anthoniappa (Budivala -Sindhanur).

Thereafter senior priests and other residents of Bethany Home were honoured by the Nuncio. Twenty Bishops, 120 priests, large number of Religious and lay faithful participated. In his homily Archbishop Leopoldo urged the diocesan community to build a vibrant synodal Church. Bishop Francis Serrao SJ , Bishop of Shimoga presented the Kannada version of the homily. In the end Bishop Henry D’Souza ,Bishop of Bellary was honored by Nuncio and all the Archbishops and Bishops gathered, for his selfless and dedicated pastorship for the past 17 years.

Bishop Henry on that occasion thanked all the convenors, committees, volunteers , priests, the religious brothers and sisters, elders, youth and children for their active cooperation and joyful support in making the platinum jubilee celebration a historic event. The Amruthotsava celebrations climaxed with the dance presentation of the jubilee anthem by children. All present were treated with the jubilee fellowship meal.