Events
Mrs. Advel D'Souza (82), Sister of Rev. Fr. Thomas D' Souza

Bethany Senior Priests Home of Bellary passed away on March 24, 2014 in Mumbai. Her funeral Mass was held at 4p.m, on Tuesday the 25th March at Christ the King Church, Jogeshwari, Mumbai. We pray for the repose of the soul of the departed and offer heartfelt condolences to the bereaved.

Mrs. Seraphine Fernandes (87), Mother of Rev. Sr. Lily Fernandes, St. Ann's Convent, Mudgal

passed away on March 15, 2014 in Mangalore. Her funeral Mass was held at 3.30 p. m, on Wednesday the 16th March at Fatima Church, Mundkur, Udupi Diocese. We pray for the repose of the soul of the departed and offer heartfelt condolences to the bereaved.

Jesuit Fr. Francis Serrao Appointed Bishop Of Shimoga

SIMOGA, MARCH 19, 2014: Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Karnataka Jesuit Provincial Reverend Father Francis Serrao new Bishop of Shimoga Diocese.

The announcement of the appointment was made at 4.30 pm today at Malligemane, Bishop's House, Shimoga and at the Vatican simultaneously.

The Seat of Bishop of Shimoga became vacant with the transfer of then Bishop of Shimoga Most Rev. Gerald Isaac Lobo to the newly created Diocese of Udupi as its first Bishop in 2012.

Born to late Piedade Serrao and late Gracy Mary Serrao, on August 15, 1959 in Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, Fr. Francis is the youngest of the 11 children, 6 of them are priests - 2 diocesan, 2 SVDs, and two Jesuits, and a sister a religious nun.

He joined the Society of Jesus on Jan. 3, 1979 at Mount St. Joseph, Bangalore. He studied philosophy and theology at the Jnana Deepa Vidya Peeta, Pune. Fr. Francis did Masters in Theology (M. Th.) at Vidya Jyothi College, Delhi.

He was ordained a priest on April 30, 1992 and made his final vows in the Society of Jesus on May 1, 1999. Fr. Francis Serrao has had a wide ranging experience in the social apostolate working among dalits and tribals in Anekal (Bangalore Archdiocese) and Mundgod (Karwar Diocese) mission stations. He has been teaching theology to the Jesuit students of theology, preparing themselves for priesthood.

He was the Rector of the St. Aloysius College, the 136-year old institution in Mangalore. It imparts education to over eleven thousand students from the primary to doctoral studies.

Presently, Fr. Francis is the Provincial of the Karnataka Jesuit Province, which responsibility he has been shouldering for the last five years.

Ministries and offices held by the Bishop-elect are: Pastoral work in Mundgod, Karwar (1991-92); Social Action at Loyola Vikas Kendra, Mundgod (1994-97); Director of the Regional Theologate, Bangalore (1998-03); Pastor of St. Joseph Church, Anekal (2000-04); Superior, Jesuit Mission, Bijapur (2003-2004); Rector of St. Aloysius College, Mangalore (2004-09); and Provincial Superior of Karnataka Jesuit Province (since 2009).

Fr. Francis is fluent in Kannada, English, Tulu, Hindi and Konkani. He is well known for his humane approach, his friendly nature, his love for the poor, his capacity for hard work, his interpersonal skills and administrative capacity.

As per Church law, within three months of the announcement, the Bishop-elect is expected to be consecrated Bishop and assume his new office.

The Diocese of Shimoga was founded on Nov. 14, 1988, with Most Rev. Ignatius Pinto as the first Bishop.

The Diocese initially comprised of two civil districts of Shimoga and Chitradurga. Shimoga district was separated from the Diocese of Chikmagalur and Chitradurga from the Archdiocese of Bangalore.

In 1997 during the time of reorganization of districts, certain parts from the districts of Shimoga and Chitradurga were put together to carve out the new district of Davangere in 1997. As a result, the Diocese of Shimoga now comprises of three civil districts namely Shimoga, Chitradurga and Davangere.

There are 51 diocesan priests and 34 religious priests serving in the Diocese. About 223 religious sisters belonging to 23 different religious congregations render spiritual, educational, social and healthcare services in the Diocese. The Diocese has 22 parishes, 17 independent mission centres with resident priests, and 20 sub-stations.

The first Bishop Ignatius Pinto was transferred to Bangalore as Archbishop on September 10, 1998 and installed on November 25, the same year

Most Rev. Gerald Isaac Lobo was appointed Bishop of Shimoga and he was consecrated on March 20, 2000 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Bishop Lobo was transferred to the newly created Diocese of Udupi and he was installed its first Bishop on October 15, 2012.

Since October 16, 2012, Bishop of Bellary, Henry D'Souza has been serving as the Apostolic Administrator the Shimoga Diocese. The clergy, the religious and the lay faithful of Shimoga, joyfully welcome the new Bishop and pray for God's choicest blessings for his fruitful Episcopal service in the Diocese.

+ Bishop Henry D'Souza
Bishop of Bellary & Apostolic Administrator of Shimoga

Hundreds Rejoice At Blessing Of New Church Hampi

HAMPI (KAMALAPUR), MARCH 19 (Fr. Maria Augustine): Hundreds of people and over 60 priests and nuns of the diocese rejoiced at the blessing and inauguration of a new church Hampi (Kamalapur) on March 19, on the feast day of St. Joseph.

The newly built church dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua was blessed and inaugurated by Bishop of Belary Henry D'Souza.

Frs. Henry Fernandes, Paul Fernandes, Innaiah and Paulraj, blessed the newly built grottos and the church bell at Kamalapur which is 55 Kms.

The place is close to the seat historical ruins of the Vijayanagar capital and the Hampi Kannada University.

It was Bishop Joseph D'Silva of happy memory, dreamt of a church at the historical place. With great difficulty a piece of land was purchased.

"The people of God are living stones to be built into the edifice of the church, of which Christ is the corner stone", reminded Bishop D'Souza in his homily.

Quoting Pope Francis, God lives amongst his sons and daughters and his presence is not restricted to mere buildings, Bishop added.

The People of God as living temples of the Holy Spirit, through their life witness and service to humanity need to be sacraments of God's presence, exhorted Bishop Henry D'Souza.

Bishop appreciated and thanked Fr. Maria Augustine, the young and enthusiastic parish priest, for his able leadership to mobilize parishioners and resources to build the church.

The dedicated services of the former parish priests, Frs. Jai Prakash and Paul Mark Moras were also remembered at the occasion.

Fr. Maria Augustine gratefully acknowledged the opportunity given to build the church and thanked all the generous donors.

The solemn event began with a procession from the entrance of the Church gate l at 10.30 a. m. and ended with a fellowship meal for about 1000 people.