Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha will Lead in God’s Providence to Serve as Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese

Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha will Lead in God’s Providence to Serve as Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese

Mangaluru: He was no doubt Pope Francis Choice, and on the day of the Feast of St Thomas the Apostle who came to India to spread the Gospel of Christ, Pope Francis appointed 54-year-old Monsignor Peter Paul Saldahna to be the 14th Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese on 3 July 2018. Finally, the long wait for Mangaluru diocese to have a new Bishop was fulfilled. The new Bishop will lead in God’s providence to serve Mangaluru diocese comprising of 124 parishes and will be consecrated on 15th September 2018 at the Rosario Cathedral, Mangaluru, where over 15,000 people are expected to attend.

A Humble, Polite, Smart, Active, Intelligent, Energetic, Social, Friendly, and above all, a Spiritual Catholic Priest, is all set to lead the Diocese in Mangaluru, which is called the “Rome of the East”- and Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha is no doubt the right person to be the Bishop. “The Son of Man comes not to be served, but to serve,” Jesus said, and after washing their feet, told his disciples to do what He did. Serving the people is what Jesus did, and doing what Jesus did is a privilege, and that’s what Msgr Peter Saldanha has been doing all these as a religious priest, and will also continue to do the same when he takes up His new post as Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese.

Today the Catholic faithful expect their Bishop to be a Dynamic Preacher, Impressive Celebrant, Effective healer, Sensitive Listener, Able Administrator, Friendly Person, Dedicated Caretaker of the Parishioners of various Churches in the diocese and the Churches, Sounding Board and even, sometimes a punching bag- and for that matter, Msgr Saldanha has all these qualities and he will surely serve as a Good God Fearing Bishop- and trust me you can count on that. In His religious life, Msgr Peter has done wonderful things serving God and the church, wherever he has been assigned to, and people have been grateful to Him for His loyalty to the Church, his wonderful gentleness, His smile and friendliness.

When a priest celebrates his silver or golden jubilee anniversaries, it is not actually about Him. It’s about Christ, whom he exemplifies. It’s about the wonderful work of a priest and the way He touches the lives of so many. Going through His profile, and while admiring the work and life of Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha, I now think to myself why didn’t I listen to my mother who always wanted me to join the priesthood since we have many family members/relatives who had joined religious Orders.

Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha has truly been an inspiration to many people, young and old, in His daily interaction with them. The inspiration one gets from a humble person’s declaration of humanness and frailty is taken from the Scripture’s words- “Man Does Not Live on Bread Alone but by the Words of God”. And while He assumes His most prestigious religious post as Bishop, the Catholic faithful have surely found the right person to lead their “Rome of the East” Mangaluru Diocese!

Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha has made a difference in peoples lives as a priest at his various capacities/posts-by walking with people, journeying together with them, interacting with them at the most special moments of their lives, the greatest joys, and the deepest sorrows. Therefore the Catholic faithful should look forward to Respect and Adore Him as a religious leader, a devoted priest, who will soon be Bishop, a religious educator of youth and adults and as a true model. It is learnt that Msgr Saldanha learned many years ago in His priesthood how to instill in others a Will to be a better person by serving and being appreciative of God. I am positive that Msgr Saldanha expects to Serve than to be Served. He preaches with Smile rather than “Now Hear This!”. He also appreciates and acknowledges spiritual and worldly blessings.

Finally, no doubt Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha will truly remain humble in all situations, which may come his way, and handle them very efficiently and systematically. I feel that Mangaluru Diocese Catholic Faithful are indeed blessed to have such a fine Bishop that He Would surely be, and let us pray that God may give Him the strength, and good health to lead the Mangaluru Diocese as its Bishop, for the next 21 more years, when He has to retire at the age of 75! May God bless You, Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha.

Following are the excerpts from the exclusive interview with Msgr Peter Paul Saldanha:

Q: I just want to ask first of all your calling to the priesthood, at what age you became aware of it? What were your thoughts on what you would be as an adult at that time? Who was the priest then, and what did you think the priest saw in you at that age? Also, who was the Bishop then? Who was your inspiration or what inspired you to become a priest? Answered above

A: I was born in a devout family in Kirem Parish. My Father’s name is Lazarus Saldanha and Mother’s name is Eliza Menezes. We are nine children, five boys and four girls. My number is fourth. Right from my childhood days, I experienced a prayerful atmosphere at home. Daily Rosary, Bible reading, singing of Hymns was common practice. These aspects made me develop the love for Christ and the Church. I was regular to my Catechism classes which strengthened my faith in God. I was also very much impressed by Fr Abundius Dsouza, the then Parish Priest of Kirem Church who was very fond of children. Whenever we, children, visited him, he used to give us some sweets and teach us some values too. During my PUC studies, I met Fr Andrew Leo Dsouza, present Parish Priest of Bondel who had already enrolled himself to be a candidate for the priesthood for the diocese of Mangalore. He gave me the ideas about joining the Seminary. Then I met the assistant parish priest, Fr Vincent Monteiro. He guided me on how to go about. Then I went with my father to meet the then Bishop Basil D’Souza. The present Apostolic Administrator Bishop Aloysius was the Chancellor. He received me with love and with a broad magnetic smile. He has been a constant source of support throughout my seminary studies and priestly life.

Q: Did you have any thoughts about perhaps having a vocation to married life, say, a bit later on?

A: I did not think of marrying and having a family. There were serious moments of discernment when I was in the second year of theology, though.

Q: When did you tell your parents about wanting to become a priest? What was their reaction, and also from your family members?

A: When I completed my PUC I told them that I want to become a priest and they said, if that is God’s will, you may go ahead. I was a strong support in their work and my parents still allowed me to go.

Q: Did you ever had a time when you stopped going to Church?

A: Never was there a crisis of faith. I always went to Mass and never missed catechism except perhaps when I was sick. Once I could not go for Sunday Mass when I was a young boy and I felt very uneasy about it.

Q: Narrate your experiences as a Catholic priest?

A: In being the assistant priest in three parishes, I gave more importance to pastoral work among the sick people, and alcoholics. I also contributed my share in training the people for the establishment of the small Christian communities. I liked to work with the youth. The mission of forming young men to the priesthood is very satisfying. I have been also guiding young students in their university studies. It was quite fulfilling.

Q: What was your reaction when you got the news that Pope Francis had appointed you as Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese

A: Initially I was surprised. But then the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples explained to me why Pope Francis has chosen me to be the pastor of the diocese of Mangaluru. Then, I was at ease. I considered as God’s wish because Jesus speaks through his ministers. When my consent was asked, I said that I was willing to take up this ministry if Pope Francis has so desired.

Q: You were a Professor at the Urbaniana University, Rome- How did you get that offer?

A: The university needed someone to teach a subject because the professor who was teaching it, was sick. I had paid a courtesy visit to the university and to the dean of theology in the year 2009 and he proposed whether I could come and teach. Initially, I was called as a guest lecturer and gradually I was regularized.

Q: Tell us about your appointment as Bishop by Pope Francis, and were you anticipating that post?

A: Not really.

Q: Has anything changed in your personal life as a priest, as a man of God and Church?

A: Priesthood brings a new consciousness of belonging to Christ and his Church and therefore to be at the service of all.

Q: What should be the qualities of a good Catholic priest?

A: A priest is the compassion of the heart of Jesus. He has to be intimately related with Christ in prayer and reflect the spiritual fatherhood of God. He must be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Along with a firm faith and sincere spiritual life, human qualities like hospitality, sobriety, patience, kindness, goodness of heart are necessary for a priest to be effective.

Q: If someone would ask you to say one sentence about Mangalore Catholic Diocese, what would be that?

A: A diocese full of generous people, participating willingly in all the major activities of the Christian life.

Q: I know you still “look young”, active and quite energetic, what’s your advice to those seeking a vocation for the priesthood?

A: Vocation is a gift from God. It is not sought. It has to be discerned to find out whether one has it. The world needs priests to give the Eucharistic Lord. Young men are called to be generous in responding to the call of God to proclaim the Joy of the Gospel and to serve the people.

Q: You have been a priest for 27 years, what would be your advice for young priests today?

A: To give the first place to Christ in life.

Q: How do your experiences as a priest to date fit you for the role of Bishop of Mangaluru diocese?

A: I have certain experience in pastoral and academic life. But the challenges a bishop has to face are very different. It is like becoming a father for the first time when the child is born. One has to learn to be a father only after the child is born. It is a continuous process of learning. Similarly, now, I have to learn to pay attention to many things which my former life did not demand in the way it does now on.

Q: How would you describe your lifestyle of leadership?

A: I desire to evolve participatory leadership, which Pope Francis calls synodality, where mutual listening is essential.

Q: What are your expectations that you like to put forward?

A: I expect that the people of God actively participate in the life of the Church, especially in the task of making Jesus known and making him loved.

Q: How can Church best prepare the Catholic youth faithful for the true commitment of their faith?

A: This year in which a synod on the “Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment” will be held, the young people must be taken into confidence and the adults should accompany them through their experience and expertise.

Q: Pope Francis has dedicated the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be focused on the theme of “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.” which will be held in Rome in October 2018- Please give us more info on this?

A: The Pope wants that the young people actively involve themselves in the life of the Church. That is already a pre-synod was held in March this year. There is the greater probability that the young people will come to bear testimony of their faith in front of the bishops of the world.

Q: What is that could strengthen the faith of Catholics in Mangaluru and around?

A: Prayer and personal Bible reading, common study of the bible and deeper knowledge of the mysteries of faith that we believe in. One must ask God that one’s faith is strengthened.

Q: Mangaluru was rated top in elderly abuse cases, and we see there are lots of old-age homes coming up in Mangaluru, where youngsters are dumping their elderly parents or grandparents in these homes – the Western trend has invaded Mangaluru. What is your opinion on this issue?

A: God has told us in His Ten Commandments that we should love and respect our parents. So as Catholics we need to follow that commandment without fail, and also it is our responsibility to take care, love and respect our parents and also grandparents in their old age. Like you have mentioned that Western trend has invaded Mangaluru, but how they handle the seniors there is completely different because the government provides full security and better facilities, they even have social security benefits, therefore they not really depend on their kith and kin for care and support. We should try to take care of our parents at their respective homes, by providing them with their needs, and also show love and care when they are alive rather repent after they are dead and gone.

Q: What’s your message to the Catholics who are losing faith in their religion, and joining other Christian organizations?

A: Every person has the fundamental freedom to choose one’s religion. No one can force it upon us. I belong to the Catholic Church and believe in its tenets. I have found the meaning of life in this Church and it has helped me to grow. I do not know the personal reasons why certain people leave the Church. I on my part will serve God in the Catholic Church. I would ask the people who desire to leave, to learn from the experience of Blessed John Henry Newman. He found deep meaning in life and he joined the Catholic Church, after all, his study regarding the fathers of the Church.

Q: What plans have you chalked out once you take up the post as Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese?

A: It’s too early to make any plans since I got appointed as a Bishop recently and I need some time to make plans and execute ideas. But my priority is to strengthen the faith of the flock entrusted to my care through the proclamation of the Joy of the Gospel. Of course, the other things, like pastoral care to the family and of our common home, are certainly connected with it. We also need to develop a harmonious relationship with the people of other faith-traditions and I wish to work in this direction.

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Q: What is your message as a nominated Bishop of Mangaluru diocese, especially to the young generation?

A: Seek the Lord and do good. Never lose heart. Trust in God for he cares for you.