Rev. Dr. Peter Machado – The Common Man’s Bishop

By Louis Rodrigues –

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10

Belgaum: This verse from the Holy Bible stands true when it comes to our dear Bishop of Belgaum Rev. Dr. Peter Machado who has been recently elevated to the coveted post of the Archbishop of Bangalore.

Diocese of Belgaum is unique for more reasons than one. With its headquarters in Belgaum city, it is spread across five districts of north Karnataka including Chandgad taluk of the neighbouring Kolhapur district in Maharashtra. Amid its linguistic, geographical and cultural diversity, it stands

as an epitome of national unity in Southern India. Thus, when the former Bishop Rev. D.r Bernard Moras, during his seven years as bishop of Belgaum, by his sustained efforts took the diocese of Belgaum to greater heights before he was elevated as the Archbishop of Bangalore.

Expectations of the laity from his successor were certainly high and questions were raised whether the same pace of development would continue. The new bishop Rev. Dr..Peter Machado assumed charge as the Bishop of Belgaum amid expectations and put to rest a few doubts. Not only did he don the mantle of the diocese, but by following the footsteps of his predecessor, he has perhaps gone a few steps ahead taking the diocese to even greater heights.

No sooner was he consecrated, he got to work — travelling extensively to get first-hand information regarding the diocese and his flock. He travelled across the length and breadth of the diocese reaching almost every parish and many remote villages in the diocese, which, perhaps none of his predecessors could have. Be it a city, town or a remote hamlet he reached there and affectionately mingled with the people with ease and effectively understood social, cultural and economic status of the people including the political picture of the region. His aptitude to mingle with people combined with his modesty made him the “Common Man’s Bishop”.

Not only Bishop Peter is determined, he gets motivated by his sheer ability to toil for the rather unassuming goals he sets for himself and for his colleagues and has been successful in achieving the goals. His wit and humility has won accolades not only among the Catholics, but among the leaders of various communities from the region due to which along with common people from different religious he commands among the  politicians, senior bureaucrats, officials, dignitaries and heads of various religions. His acumen and commitment in handling the complicated matters and issues too is praiseworthy.

In one such incidents when a local MLA had used derogatory remarks against Christians, he spared no time in meeting the then Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa and vented out his anger after which the MLA was sought pardon of the community. Apart from English, his fluency in Kannada and Konkani was appreciated and was reflected in his thought-provoking homilies and public addresses. Gifted with a phenomenal memory and swift skills of operating mobile and laptop he always kept ahead of times in accessing knowledge and at the same time used them effectively in sending reminders and notices to the leaders of the community.

His love for people and children was especially seen on the Christmas Eve when non-Christian parents along with their children touched his feet seeking his blessings. In return, humbly he would offer them all a piece of cake efficiently conveying the message of peace and harmony among the people of other religions.

The fact was reflected when leaders of different communities had expressed their desire to have a public felicitation for Bishop Peter, which he modestly denied, however, without his knowledge, leaders belonging to Jain, Lingayat, Muslim, SC/ST and other communities had recently felicitated him in Nazareth Hall of the Cathedral.

Bishop Peter has achieved much more in the last 12 years while many of his dreams still remain unfulfilled, one of them is setting up of a pilgrimage centre and a retreat house at Nandgad and naming of a prominent road or circle after St Mother Teresa being another one. It’s now our responsibility that we strive to fulfill his dreams.

The fact that second bishop from the diocese will be now heading the Archdiocese of Bengaluru representing Karnataka at National and International level, there is always a corner in our heart that will keep missing him, his sermons-speeches and his ‘ never say die’ attitude in reaching out to the poor, marginalised and the underprivileged. While we thank him for the fantastic and fruitful mission he had in the Diocese of Belgaum, we also pray that Almighty God guides him in serving the people of the Arch Diocese of Bengaluru with a Catholic population of about five lakhs. We thank you and wish you all the best Your Grace.

---

Photo Courtesy: Louis Rodrigues

1. Leaders belonging to Hindu, Muslim and other religions felicitated bishop Peter Machado recently at a function that was organised by Uzwaad Pariwaar.
2. Bishop Peter briefing former CM Yeddyurappa about the crisis in Khanapur (August 2010)
   Photo Courtesy: Louis Rodrigues