 Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 21: Rev. Fr. Ivan Pereira, native of Mumbai and priest of the diocese was ordained on Saturday as Bishop of Jammu Srinagar Diocese. The ceremony took place at a celebration of Holy Eucharist, the most sacred religious function of the Catholics, at the St. Mary's Presentation School grounds Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
According to press release, the ceremony was presided over by Salvatore Pennacchio, the Vatican ambassidor to India and Nepal and legate of Pope Francis in India and assisted by His Grace Anil Couto, Metropolitan Archbishop of Delhi and His Grace Felix Machado, Archbishop of Vasai. The Holy Eucharist was concelebrated by His Grace Albert D'souza, Archbishop of Agra; Vincent Concesso, Emritus bishop of Delhi; His Excellency Elias Gonsalves, Bishop of Amravati; Franko Mulakal, Bishop of Jalandhar; Emmanuel Kerketta, Bishop of Jashpur; His Excellency Ignatius Mascharnes, Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh; His Excellency George Pallipparambil, Bishop of Miao; His Excellency Gerald Mathias, Bishop of Lucknow; Patrick Nair, Bishop Emritus of Meerat and Jacob Barnabas, Malankara Bishop of Delhi Diocese.
Priests of the diocese of Jammu-Srinagar, priests of religious congregations, visiting priests and friends of Bishop Ivan also concelebrated. The ceremony was attended by a large number of religious sisters and Catholic faithful from Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
Addressing the gathering, he also stated the three fold function of the Bishop: being a Teacher who guides, being a Shepherd of the faithful and being a Father who leads all to holiness.
The newly consecrated Bishop Ivan Pereira expressed his thanks and appreciation for all the prayerful support and encouragement received it has been very humbling because in moments like this, one becomes acutely aware of one's own failings and limitations.
It means that we come to know all the more how much we depend on the grace of God and the gift of faith". He also prayed for peace in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and unveiled motto which is Pax nuntiata est, which means Peace is announced. He called upon everyone to be an announcer of peace in our country. |
