Bengaluru: May 31: Most Rev Dr. Peter Machado was installed the new Archbishop of Bangalore at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral grounds here on Thursday, March 31. Several Archbishops, bishops, scores of priests besides nuns and thousands of lay faithful and special invitees witnessed the two and a half hour installation ceremony.

The process of installation began with Fr S Jayanathan, Vicar General, reading out the Papal Letter to this effect. Fr Xavier Fernandez, representative of Vatican Ambassador read out the same content in Latin as well.

Archbishop Moras presented a brief introduction and before commencing the Mass he quoting 2Tim 4:7 said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Installation ceremony began after the readings. Rev Machado was seated on the cathedra (a special canopy like chair) and presented him with the keys of the cathedral. Dr Machado was also presented with a mitre and staff. The new Archbishop recited the creed and read out a list of commitments both religious and temporal which come within the scope of his duties to look after the Church and its affairs.

Archbishop Machado’s homily was intermittent with witticism and wisecracks. He said he had so far only visiting visa but now he has a permanent visa. He spoke from the context of Mary visiting Elizabeth. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” ……….(Luke 1: 39-56).

Why did Mary visit Elizabeth? It is a spiritual visit and a pastoral one to empower Elizabeth and all others. This was a timely help and to give solace to the needy. God has given us a call. It is a holy call, a pastoral call. Holy Father said on Holiness that Holiness is the most apposite face of the Church. Mary’s visit, indeed, empowered Elizabeth in her special situation. Archbishop Machado made it amply clear to empower the laity. It is also sacred to care for the poor as poverty is the face of the Church. We are called to remember and take along the poor and take care of them. Dr Machado also depicted the role of St Joseph in our lives as in the Church. He urged all presented to have strong faith in God at all times. The new Archbishop also reminded the faithful that service to humanity is service to God. Dr Machado whose appointment as Archbishop was announced on March 19, 2018 greeted all in their own languages, namely Tamil, Malayalam, and Konkani. He also spoke briefly in Tamil, though read out text written in Kannada, he admitted.

After the Eucharist, Archbishop Moras was thanked before bidding farewell. Msgr C Francis, Vicar General, spoke high of Archbishop Moras and highlighted his leadership qualities and development works he had carried out during the past 14 years for the Archdiocese of Bengaluru. Msgr Francis had a long list to narrate on several aspects of Archbishop Moras besides his exuberant and able leadership to guide the diocese tirelessly taking along all with him. He wished him good health, long life of peace and joy.

Fr Xavier Fernandes also appreciated Archbishop’s committed work for the Lord. The Vatican Ambassador also enumerated the many achievements of Archbishop Moras.

A number of people felicitated the new Archbishop. They included public servants (MLA, Roshan Baig), religious heads and general public. All the bishops of Karnataka and many from other parts of the country were presented with a shawl and a garland. A cultural programme enthralled all.

 
The Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado – The New Archbishop of Bangalore

On attaining the Bishopric superannuation age of 75 years, the outgoing Archbishop Most Rev. Bernard Moras demitted his office. To fill this ecclesiastical position, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum, as the new Archbishop of Bangalore on 19.03.2018.

Archbishop-Designate Peter Machado would be the 7th Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. There were three bishops served the Bangalore Diocese, prior to its raising to the status of an Archdiocese.

The Most Rev. Peter Machado, son of the late Aveline and the late Anthony Machado, hails from Honnavar in Uttara Kannada District. Born on May 26, 1954 in Honnavar, he joined St. Michael’s Seminary, Belgaum, before his matriculation. He continued his high school studies at St. Paul’s High School in Belgaum and was later sent to Papal Seminary in Pune to do his philosophical and theological studies. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Commerce from Pune University.

He was ordained a Priest on Dec. 8, 1978 for the Diocese of Karwar, which had been created as a separate diocese from the diocese of Karwar two years earlier. He holds a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome.

He was appointed Bishop of Belgaum by the then Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, on February 2, 2006, and he was ordained a Bishop in Belgaum in the same year on 30th March.

His 12 years of service as the Bishop of Belgaum saw great pastoral, educational and social developments in the Diocese. A number of new churches and education institutions were built for the overall uplift and welfare of the underprivileged in the Diocese.

He is simple and hardworking and has a great love for the poor. He is a great thinker, prolific reader, good orator and an erudite writer, and thus keeps himself abreast of the events of the time. These qualities would definitely help him in his pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese.

He has been a great protagonist of the family ministry. And he has headed the Regional Commission for Family and Laity at the Karnataka Regional level for many years. His interest in empowering the lay faithful is indeed commendable. Presently, he is the Chairman of the Catholic Council of Karnataka and as such he is involving the laity in all the welfare activities in the region.

Most Rev. Peter Machado will be installed as the New Archbishop of Bangalore on 31st May, 2018 at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral. All of us in the Archdiocese of Bangalore and the Dioceses in Karnataka congratulate him and wish him every success in his Pastoral endeavours.