Bangalore: Statue of Blessed Pope John Paul II Unveiled by Papal Nuncio
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Oct 25: His Excellency Salvatore Pennacchio, the Ambassador of Vatican State to India, unveiled and blessed the statue of Blessed John Paul II at the Church dedicated in his name at K Channasandra, Horamavu , in the outskirts of Bangalore on Tuesday.
The Archdiocese of Bangalore is the first ever diocese in the entire country to have a church dedicated in the name of Late Pope John Paul II on August 20, 2011. The Late Pope was beatified on May 1, 2011.
Pope John Paul II was known as a Missionary Pope for his extensive travelling throughout the entire world on a pilgrimage as a Messenger of Peace. He had visited India twice. His first visit was from February 1–10, 1986, when the Pontiff visited Mangalore.
It is the fourth statue in India weighing 375 kg and 2.06 mts in width completely made out of bronze metal. This statue was manufactured in Bangkok and imported to India. This image of Blessed John Paul II in his Pontifical attire has at the bottom of the statue the impression of the national bird, Peacock and national flower, Lotus.
All the 13 bishops of Karnataka, including Most Rev Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, and from the dioceses of Chikmagalur, Mysore, Belgaum, Bellary, Shimoga, Belthangady, Bhadravathi, Mangalore, Mandya, Puttur, Karwar and Gulbarga attended the solemn function.
The nuncio (ambassador) and all the other dignitaries were welcomed at the entrance and led in procession to the church with the accompaniment of band and children dressed in white offering flower petals.
Archbishop Bernard Moras, who is also the President of Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops’ Council, said the function was an occasion of great blessing of the Lord to all the people of the parish and the entire archdiocese and the even all other dioceses. He welcomed the nuncio, other bishops and all present in the name of the parish priest, Fr Alphonse Bhaskar and the Dean of the area.
The Papal Nuncio, in his homily, called upon the people not to be afraid to welcome Christ in their lives and he exhorted them to wide open the doors to the Lord as Christ alone could give words of eternal life.
The ambassador of Pope to India exhorted the people to imitate Christ, who is the source of life and everything else, to lead good and holy life.
Using the words of Pope John Paul II, he appealed to all to make Christ part of their lives by imbibing the words of the Lord. ``The late Pope was a missionary, went to so many countries including India twice,” he said recalling his words: ``Do not be afraid, put out (the net) to the deep for a better catch.”
Though Pope John Paul’s death was a great loss to all, the legacy of grace and meaning of suffering that he left behind will always remain as assets for all, the Papal Nuncio said hoping for the canonization of the Blessed Pope to move forward.
The Chief Guest also read out a portion of Pope Benedict XVI’s homily at the funeral of the late Pope. Quoting the homily, he said, “If the Lord is my life and salvation, whom shall I fear… Thy kingdom come, follow what Jesus taught us…” The nuncio hoped the charism of Blessed Pope John Paul II would help all towards becoming other Christ.
Soon after the Mass, the nuncio was felicitated and so all other bishops. Local MLA, K J George, who attended the function, felicitated the nuncio.
Archbishop Moras narrated how he managed to procure the statue with the help of the Nuncio and even the cost was met by his (Nuncio’s) friend, Lona.
He also said this is the first time all the bishops of Karnataka came together for a function. They also have meetings from October 24 to 28 in Bangalore.
The Ambassador of Vatican to India said it was a great privilege for him to share the blessings with all priests, nuns and the faithful. He presented the parish priest, Fr Alphonse Bhaskar a book containing all the talks, homilies and speeches of Pope John Paul II during his visit to India.
Blessed John Paul II has brought in vibrancy and fresh lease of life in the Roman Catholic Church. In this way, he is a great inspiration and motivation to many. He strived hard to promote Ecumenical unity around the world, the Archbishop said.
The architect of this historical event Most Rev Bernard Moras, was first appointed Bishop of Belgaum and then appointed as Archbishop of Bangalore by Blessed John Paul II. During these years Archbishop Bernard Moras had several precious and golden occasions to personally meet and hold dialogue with Pope John Paul II besides receiving the Papal blessings from Blessed John Paul II.
Archbishop Bernard Moras has immense respect and devotion to blessed John Paul II. Hence he had participated in the Beatification ceremony of Pope John Paul II on May 1, 2011 in Rome. The credit for this great and historical significance goes to Archbishop Bernard Moras for all the efforts in realizing and materializing the church dedicated to Blessed John Paul II, said Fr Anthony Swamy, PRO of Bangalore Archdiocese.