The Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Diocese of Shimoga were held on 16th November, 2014 at Sacred Heart Cathedral Campus, Shimoga. The Diocese was erected on 14th November, 1988 and the first Bishop, Most Rev. Ignatius Pinto was ordained Bishop on 31st January, 1989. The Second Bishop Most Rev. Gerald Lobo was ordained Bishop on 20th March, 2000. The Episcopal Ordination of the third Bishop, Most Rev. Francis Serrao took place on May 7th, 2014.
Twelve Bishops were welcomed solemnly at the Cathedral Main Gate. A meaningful Eucharistic celebration followed. Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore and First Bishop of Shimoga, His Grace Most Rev. Ignatius Pinto presided over the Eucharist and Bishop of Chikmagalur, Most Rev. T. Anthony swamy broke the Word of God. Other esteem con-concelebrate Bishops were His Grace Most Rev. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Archdiocese of Bangalore; Most Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Managalore; Most Rev. Dereck Fernandes, Bishop of Karwar; Mar Geevarghese Divnnasion, Bishop of Puttur; Most Rev. Henry D’Souza, Bishop of Bellary; Mar Joseph Arumachadath, Bishop of Bhadravathi; Mar Lawarence Mukkuzhy, Bishop of Belthangady; Most Rev. Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum; Most Rev. Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga; and Most Rev. Thomas Vazhapilly, Bishop of Mysore.
A felicitation programme followed the Eucharist. Archbishop of Bangalore, His Grace Most Rev. Bernard Moras presided and the Guests of Honour were Dr. Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of Shri Murugha Mutt, Chitradurga, Shri Moulana Al-Haj-Hyder Ali Kamil Nizami, President of Al-Hidaya Education Centre, Shimoga. 12 Bishops, 5 Superior Generals, 32 Provincial Superiors graced the occasion along with SP, DC and other District officials.
An attractive cultural programme, "In the Steps of Christ", depicted the growth of Shimoga Diocese. The programme ended with a fellowship meal. Most Rev. Francis Serrao welcomed. Msgr. Felix Joseph Noronha proposed the vote of thanks.
Brief History of Diocese of Shimoga
The Diocese of Shimoga in Karnataka, India was erected on 14th November, 1988 by virtue of the Apostolic Bull of Pope John Paul II entitled “Id Spectantes.” On the same day, the Rt.Rev. Msgr. Ignatius Pinto, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Bangalore was appointed its First Bishop. The Episcopal Ordination of the First Bishop of Shimoga took place on 31st January 1989, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga.
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. Diocese of Shimoga is the eighth Latin diocese in Karnataka and suffragan of the Metropolitan 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.
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.
On March 19, 2014 the Holy Father appointed Msgr. Francis Serrao sj as the Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga. He was appointed as the third bishop of Diocese of Shimoga and was ordained as Bishop on 07 May, 2014 by Archbishop Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio of India, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga. “Service of Faith Fullness of Life is the pastoral motto of the Bishop.
There are 52 diocesan priests and 31 religious priests serving in the Diocese. About 224 religious sisters belonging to 34 different religious congregations render spiritual, educational, social and healthcare services in the Diocese. The Diocese has 4 Deaneries, 22 parishes, 17 independent mission centres with resident priests, and 9 sub-stations. Approximately 36,000 students are studying in the diocese as well as religious educational institution. In the diocese there 36 nursery schools, 35 primary schools, 22 High schools, 9 Pre-University Colleges, 3 Degree Colleges, 4 Training centres, 11 Social work centres, and 4 Hospitals.
The total extent of the territory of the Diocese is 22,893 Sq.Kms. The total population according to the 2011 Census is 53,62,795 of whom 19,429 are Catholics.
Courtesy: www.shimogadiocese.org
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