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Udupi : Bro. Vincent Lewis of Mount Rosary Church SSVP Conference, Kallianpur has been elected as President of Society of St Vincent de Paul Central Committee of Udupi diocese.

The Udupi diocesan SSVP Central Committee president election was held at Anugraha, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Kakkunje near here on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Bro. Walter Martis, President of SSVP Central Committee was presided over the occasion. Rev Fr. Reginald Pinto, Diocesan SSVP Spiritual Director conducted the starting prayers of the SSVP and gave his keynote address.

Bro. Peter Martis, Pangala, Vice President of Diocesan SSVP and co-coordinator of the election pointed out the process of the election. Due to two contenders of the diocesan president post, election was held with smooth atmosphere. The eligible voters of the election were voted for their candidate. Prior to the election, the candidates introduced themselves for the voters as per the procedures of the society.

The outgoing president Bro. Walter Martis gave vast heartfelt gratitude to all the diocesan Vincentians during his six years of tenure as a president. He also thanked the concerned former spiritual director Rev Fr. Fredrick D’Souza and presently Rev Fr. Reginald Pinto for their support. He also thanked the Bishops of Udupi diocese Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo and Shivmogga diocese Bishop Most Rev Dr. Francis Serrao. The SSVP conferences of Shivamogga diocese were under the Udupi diocesan SSVP and last February the formation of a new central committee of Shivamogga diocese was formed. Bro. Walter Martis gave gratitude to all the Vincentians of the dioceses for their cooperation during his tenure. He also offered his all help and services for the newly elected President Bro. Vincent Lewis during his office.

Bro. Vincent Lewis thanked all for supporting to elect him as a new president of the central committee of SSVP, Udupi diocese and he also asked to support him.

Newly elected president Bro. Vincent Lewis took oath from Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo with the witness of all present during the election process.

In his message Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo pointed out the words of Jesus that God loves you as you also love others.  Through our services for the needy, we would be blessed. It is more blessed to give services for the poor and needy. We should provide services to those who need shelter, food, clothes, education and health. That would be the work of God which Vincentians need to do. The Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Hence, Vincentian brothers and sisters should find out the needy and there shall not be any needy in the society. Meanwhile, the Bishop said that SSVP members should not forget the prayer services with help for those who are in need and need to make youth members in SSVP conferences. Bishop gave wishes to the newly elected President and thanked the outgoing president and his team.

At the end, SSVP Central committee General Secretary Seema Margaret Alva proposed a vote of thanks. Bishop read out ending prayers of SSVP. About 50 Vincentian members were present during the election process including 41 voters. There are 51 conferences in the Udupi diocese including the Youth Conference at Pilar parish of Shirva Deanery.

The newly elected Diocesan SSVP Committee has presently President of Kallianpur Area Council as well as Treasurer of Mount Rosary Conference, Kallianpur. Formerly he was also treasurer and secretary of Kallianpur Area Council.