Bellary Diocese

GULBARGA, SEP. 28: “Christians should become agents of societal change through the proclamation of the Good News”, declared Bishop of Bellary Henry D’Souza Sep. 27 at the Gulbarga Diocesan Christotsava (Mission Congress). In his homily at the inaugural Eucharist, Bishop D’Souza stated: “The Good News has the power to transform individuals and society through a spiritual change brought about by divine grace.” Recalling the Holy Father’s message for the Mission Sunday 2009, Bishop D’Souza said, “the Church works not to extend power or affirm dominion, but to carry, to all, Christ, the salvation of the world". “Christians are given a double commission: firstly to be like light, salt and leaven by loving, by serving, to feeding the hungry, by clothing the naked etc”, Bishop stated. “Secondly, by going out to the entire world making disciples of all nations and baptizing them”, he added. Bishop D’Souza insisted on the need of “embodying the Good News” in the personal life of Christians and urged all the Catholic institutions to be signs of God’s love through their service in the field of education, health care and social development”. Archbishop of Bangalore Bernard Moras presided over the concelebrated Eucharist. Bishop of Mangalore A. P. D’Souza, Bishop of Mysore Thomas Vazapilly, Bishop of Chikmagalur Thomasappa Anthonysamy, and Bishop of Gulbarga Robert Miranda concelebrated with over forty priests and large gathering of Catholics. The two-day programme is being held at St. Mary’s Auditorium by the CSST Sisters.