Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

Temples are sacred places of God’s existence and its sanctity to be maintained  - Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo

Malpe, Feb 11: Temples are sacred places of God’s existence and its sanctity should be maintained by everyone, said the Apostolic Administrator of Udupi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo.

He inaugurated and blessed the chapel of Thottam St. Ann’s on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

In his homily during the Holy Eucharistic celebration he said that Temples have a special significance in Indian culture. More than buildings, what we need is inner faith, respect for God and a lifestyle that respects the poor. There is no meaning of external rituals without inner devotion.
This temple(Chapel) will be a holy place for prayer, divine experience and to connect with the Almighty. Buildings made of stone may be destroyed, but the living temple within us will remain forever.

After the prayers, a procession was taken out from the main temple to the sanctum sanctorum. Rev Fr Wilson D’Souza compered the inaugural and blessing ceremony.

Donors, architects and helpers who helped in the construction of the chapel were felicitated at a function held at the open stage of the main St Ann’s Church.

During the occasion, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo and parish priest of St Ann’s Church Rev Fr Denis D’Sa were felicitated on behalf of the parish.
Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, Kallianpur Milagres Cathedral Rector and Vicar General of Udupi diocese Very Rev Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Udupi Diocese Chancellor Very Rev Fr. Stephen D’Souza, former MLAs J R Lobo, Raghupati Bhat, Convent Superior Sister Sushma, Christian Development Corporation Director Prashanth Jattanna, Congress leader Prasad Raj Kanchan, Ramesh Kanchan, Coordination Committee President Ramesh Mahantaya, MCC Bank President Anil Lobo, Daijiworld Head Walter Nandalike, Prominent Donors Oswald Vas, Peter Andrew D’Souza, Convener of 20 Commissions of Church Administration Shanthi Fernandes, Clifford Leena Vaz on behalf of Vaz family and others were present.

Fr Denis D’Sa, parish priest, welcomed the gathering and Lavina Fernandes, secretary, parish pastoral committee, rendered the vote of thanks. Vice president Leslie Aroza compered the programme.