By Shiji Abraham –
Bishop Dr Peter Machado was canonically installed as Archbishop of Bengaluru on Thursday at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral on May 31 (Thursday). Thousands of lay faithful, hundreds of priests and religious attended the installation ceremony. There were several Archbishops and Bishops from all over India.
The installation ceremony took place during the Holy Mass. He was seated on the Cathedra and Archbishop Emeritus Bernard Moras presented him with the Crozier, Staff and the keys of the cathedral as a sign of handing over the responsibility of taking care of the church and the people of God.
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Archbishop Machado took oath to serve the Archdiocese and promised that he would be always faithful to the Catholic Church and the Roman Pontiff, as supreme Pastor and Vicar of Christ as well as he would carry out the apostolic duties entrusted to a Bishop mainly to teach, sanctify and guide the people of God. While addressing the faithful, Archbishop Machado said, “Poverty is the face of the church, the moment we forget the poor we forget the church therefor, it our sacred duty like Mary, the Mother of Jesus to reach out and to empower the poor which is the duty of everyone.”
He called upon the faithful to be joyful like Mary who sang the praises of God even in the midst of difficulties and pain. Quoting Holy Father’s words, he said that the third millennium is of the laity, therefore, it is important to empower the laity. He urged the people to have strong faith in God at all times.
Archbishop Machado, the son of late Avleine and the late Anthony Machado, hails from Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district. He was born on May 26, 1954. He obtained his Masters Degree in Commerce from Pune University and doctorate in Canon Law from Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome. He served for 12 years as Bishop of Belgaum.
During the public function, Archbishop Emeritus Bernard Moras thanked priests, religious and laity for their support and encouragement during the past 14 years of his service in the Archdiocese. Representatives from various groups, religion and politicians were present for the function.
This story has been kindly granted to ICM by City Hilights publication.