Fr Francis Serrao takes charge as bishop of Shimoga


 
Media Release

Shimoga, May 9: The solemn Episcopal consecration celebration of Fr Francis Serrao took place on Wednesday May 7 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga. He was consecrated bishop of Shimoga diocese and on the same day he took canonical possession of the diocese and started his pastoral ministry with the pastoral motto “Service of Faith Fullness of Life”.
 
The principal consecrator was Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal. It was his first visit to the diocese of Shimoga. During the homily he said, the core pastoral ministry of a bishop is to serve. By serving the faithful entrusted to his pastoral care, the bishop follows the example of Christ. 


The co-consecrators were Archbishop Bernard Moras, the archbishop of Bangalore Archdiocese; Archbishop Vincent Michael Concessao, bishop emeritus of Delhi Archdiocese; bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza, the bishop of Mangalore; Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi; Peter Machado, bishop of Belgaum; Dr Thomasappa Anthony Swamy, bishop of Chikmagalur; Dr Thomas Anthony Vazhapilly, bishop of Mysore; Dr Robert Miranda, bishop of Gulbarga; Mar George Njaralakkattu, Syro-Malabar bishop of Mandya; Mar Joseph Arumachadath, Syro-Malabar bishop of Bhadravathi; Alex Vadakkumthala, bishop of Kannur and Dr Henry D’Souza, bishop of Bellary who was also the apostolic administrator of the Shimoga diocese. Msgr Romanus Mbena, first counsellor who accompanied Apostolic Nuncio was also present and read the Mandate from the Holy See in Latin before the consecration ceremony.

After the consecration all the priests of the diocese paid honor and obedience to the New Ordinary. At the same celebration were present a great number of Jesuits priests from Karnataka and other provinces, priests from other dioceses, women religious, and huge crowd of faithful, family members, friends and some non-Christian people to show their love and happiness for the new bishop. 

A number of political dignitaries were present, among them were Oscar Fernandes, the central minister for road transport and highways, K Abhaychandra Jain, Karnataka state minister for youth services and fisheries and MLAs from Mangalore and Shimoga.

After the Holy Eucharist there was felicitation function to Dr Francis Serrao, the new bishop of Shimoga during which the Apostolic Nuncio and all other dignitaries were honored on behalf of the faithful of the diocese of Shimoga.


  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • MICHAEL PINTO, KINNIGOLI

    Mon, May 12 2014

    I was very happy and fortunate to witness the consecration ceremony of a Bishop for the first time. It is indeed a great event. May God bless this very simple and humble man to carry out his mission.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • FR FELIX MONTEIRO, BADYAR, MANGALORE

    Sun, May 11 2014

    Dear Newly ordained Bishop Francis Serrao, Congratulations and good luck in your new appointment to head the Diocese of Shimoga. Your motto is wonderful and needs of the diocese. With prayers....Beautiful ceremony....Congratulations to the organizers......

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • ambrose D'Souza S.J., Vijaypura

    Sat, May 10 2014

    Dear Bp Francis Serrao,
    Along with CONGRATULATIONS my good wishes too go on your way. It is a rare opportunity and an unique chance in one's life to be consecrated as the Bishop for the people of God! You are the chosen Moses!

    Now begins the real struggle to be or not be in Pharaoh's land. Be always alert,awake and finely attuned to the changing signs of time. Let your strongest support be your daily prayers, as if in built battery to supply unending energy to your life and ministry. Jai Christa!!!!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Max and Jessie Rasquinha, Mangalore, Houston/Dallas, Texas

    Sat, May 10 2014

    The City of Shimoga, the place that we have yet to visit, has brought us closer with the help of a familiar Jesuit face who is going to lead the Diocese as our newly consecrated Bishop.

    Amidst all the new challenges the world of Christianity is facing, it is such a delightful feeling that the Vatican is giving a timely thought towards India thru some of the rightful decisions that include ion of so many new Bishops that will guide the destiny of so many new Dioceses.

    Indian Christians have a great role to play in the fast changing world. We depend on our beloved Bishops, and we have been fortunately blessed with the best ones who will guide our Dioceses in order to move in the right direction.

    Congratulations to you, dear Bishop Francis. May your leadership bring added blessings of glamour not only to the Christians but to all those that we are fortunate to surround with.

    We have never visited Shimoga before, but we now have a genuine reason to find a new route of travel towards your new home that will brighten and prosper under your new leadership.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • ad, mangloor

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Congratulations, Bishop, Fr. serrao

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr. Venus Colaco, Sagar, Shimoga

    Fri, May 09 2014

    I know Fr. Frankie from my childhood days. His inspiring talks had a deep influence on me. He sowed the seeds of my vocation. His style of relating to everyone with love and respect is admirable. WARM WELCOME TO SHIMOGA DIOCESE DEAREST FR. FRANKIE. MAY YOUR MISSION BE FRUITFUL.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • gabriel, sagar

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Nice coverage of the Episcopal Ordination of the New Bishop. Best Wishes to the New Bishop as he guides the flock in the path of Peace and Justice.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lionel . J . Menezes, Udupi / Bangalore

    Fri, May 09 2014

    IT WAS JUST A WONDERFUL OCCASION, I AM REALLY BLESSED BY THE LORD ALMIGHTY, TO WITTINESS IT WITH MY OWN TWO EYES, BODY & SOUL.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fredrick DSouza, Shirthady / Doha

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Congratulations Bishop Francis Serrao, May the Almighty Lord bless you, guide you to lead His flock to the divine destiny.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore

    Fri, May 09 2014

    It is indeed a great event in the life and history of priest to be consecrated as a Bishop. Here we have Father (Bishop) Francis Serrao lovingly known as Father Frankie who hs been ed and elected as a Bishop.

    Most of us past and present Aloysians know Bishop Frankie very well indeed - as a loving, caring and giving individual. He indeed had a very successful tenure as Provincial of The Karnataka Jesuit Mission where he rendered wonderful service focusing more on the poor and the marginalized. His sincere work in places like Mundgod, Harihar, Bijapur and other Mission Stations bear testimony of his concern for the poor. He is greatly responsible to better the conditions of the adivasis and the siddis in the North Kanara district.

    Bishop Frankie is now called upon to guide the destiny of the people in Shimoga and it is not going to be an easy sailing. However, people of Shimoga will soon discover his sterling qualities of heart and mind and indeed will readily help him in the difficult task ahead of him.

    I join hundreds of others in wishing Bishop Frankie a very fruitful and happy tenure in Shimoga.

    Joe Gonsalves

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Wency & Irene Pais, Mangalore.3.

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Congratulations dear Bishop Francis. May our Lord Jesus bless you and be with you always. We are confident that our Shimoga Diocese will be richly benefited by your guidance and services. Our prayers are always with you dear Bishop Francis.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lawrence Fernandes, JOGFALLS

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Congrats, Dear Bishop Francis. Heartily welcome to our Shimoga Diocese.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Avil, Doha / Shirva

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Congratulations Fr. Francis

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr. Edward Lewis, Dubai, Bejai,Mangalore,

    Fri, May 09 2014

    CONGRATULATIONS Dear Bishop FRANCIS,

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jonald Pereira, Bantwal/saudia

    Fri, May 09 2014

    CONGRATULATIONS Dear Bishop FRANCIS,

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Dear Fr. Francis, Congratulations on being appointed as the new Bishop of Shimoga. May you be a True Shepherd taking only Jesus as your model in loving your Flock. I wish you everything that is Best.

    With Best Regards
    Henry Misquith.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jonald Pereira, Bantwal/saudia

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Congrats Fr Francis.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Alva, pamboor

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Hearty congratulations to the new Bishop of Shimoga Diocese.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr. Vincent Mewnezes, Cascia

    Fri, May 09 2014

    CONGRATULATIONS dear Bishop FRANCIS. Under the inspiration of Pope Francis may you too serve the Diocese of Shimoga with the fullness of life-all for the "Greater Glory of God." All the best. With prayers and craving your blessings- Fr. Vincent V. Menezes, Cascia

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Geo Agrar, Bantwal

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Congratulation Fr. And may the almighty shower his immense blessings on your pastoral/missionary work

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan, Banglore

    Fri, May 09 2014

    Congrats. Fr Francis. May almighty god bless you with the gift of holy spirit to lead the Shimoga Diocese.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Fr Francis Serrao takes charge as bishop of Shimoga



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.