Press release

Mangaluru, Nov 7: Farewell to Marcel Monteiro, the outgoing Lay Public Relationship Officer (PRO) and welcoming of Ronald Castelino the new second lay PRO of Mangalore diocese was held at Bishop House Mangalore.

Before taking charge of the new lay PRO, a farewell program to Marcel Monteiro the outgoing PRO, who served for 24 years was held at Bishop house.

Msgr Maxim L Noronha, vicar general of the diocese delivered the farewell speech and congratulated for his selfless service amidst a lot of challenges. Bishop Peter Paul felicitated and wished well to Marcel Monteiro for his future endeavors.

Ronald Castelino took charge as the second lay PRO Mangalore diocese, in a simple ceremony held at the Bishop's house. The bishop thanked him for accepting the responsibility and wished him well for his future endeavors.

Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, Msgr Maxim L Noronha, the vicar general, Fr Victor Vijay Lobo the PRO, Fr Maxim Rosario, the Estate manager, and few other priests were present at the occasion.

 A short note on Ronald Castelino

Ronald Castelino was the former president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, worked tirelessly for Konkani education, Konkani literature, Konkani culture’. He has donned several responsible positions in society. He is the founder president of Konkani Prachar Sanchalan and president for two terms of Rachana – Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is a former member of Karnataka Konkani Literature Academy. He is serving as the Pirjenth of Mandd Sobhann, a well-known cultural organization of the Konkani language. He was the former treasurer of the World Konkani Organization and former president of Lion’s Club, Kulshekar.

He is a science graduate, established ‘Roy Constructions’ 35 years ago and is known as one of the successful entrepreneurs of Mangaluru. Roy has kept harmonious relationships with people of all religions of the society.

The Contributions of Marcel Monteiro

Marcel Monteiro is an acceptable person because of his recognition by the public and in the government sphere. He represented the diocese at various government meetings, inter-religious gatherings, peace meets, and so on. He assisted the diocese to obtain the required permissions from government departments for the public celebrations of the community, such as Eucharistic processions and other public gatherings of the community and appeasing them to cooperate in such activities.

He was the president of Rachana and was the president of the Mangalore Management Association. He was recognized by the government by his nomination for the Karnataka govt Minority Association; He was also the Syndicate member of the University of Mangalore. Of late, he is nominated as a member of the Karnataka Govt Planning Commission.

Monteiro proved himself fit for the service for which he has been chosen by the former bishop as PRO and he did justice to his duty as PRO. He worked hand in hand with other priest PROs like late Fr Henry Castelino, Fr Denis D’Sa, Fr Francis Lewis, Fr William Menezes, and presently Fr Victor Vijay Lobo.