Fr. Arokiaraj was addressing the priests of the diocese of Bellary during a day-long animation programme on “priesthood and divine worship held on Nov. 25 at St. Anthony’s centre, Bellary.
“No priesthood means no priest; no priest means no sacraments including the Eucharist; no sacraments means no Eucharist also no church”, added Fr Arokiaraj.
The status of priests in the world is “very exalted and elevated. Priests are not only called to, but bestowed on with this greatest gift on earth, namely the priesthood”, opined the former secretary of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council.
The programme was organized by the Bellary Diocesan Commission for Christian Life of which Fr R. C. Anthayya is the chairman. He facilitated the programme which was largely attended by both the religious and diocesan priests.
Earlier Bishop of Bellary Henry D’Souza inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp.
The Shrine of Bellary Arogya Mathe was blessed and dedicated on 8th September 2000 on the feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother Mary in memory of the great jubilee 2000 and the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Bellary