Patna: The Patna Diocese of the Catholic Church in Patna is celebrating 100 years of service to Bihar, and the many achievements and contributions in education, health, and social service could not have been possible without the goodwill of all the communities of Bihar, said Archbishop William D’Souza SJ.
Archbishop William D’Souza SJ, while addressing a press conference on the occasion said that even though the Catholic Church has a presence in Bihar from the 17th Century, Patna was made into a diocese in 1919 by the then Pope Benedict fifteenth, reports Newsnetone. He said that the closing ceremony of the Centenary year is to be held at St. Michael’s School at 4 pm on Thursday 29th November. The theme of the closing ceremony is ‘A century of Service to Bihar’. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend the centenary celebrations of the Archdiocese of Patna.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, and Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, are invited to the occasion. About 50 bishops, hundreds of priests, nuns and other dignitaries are expected to attend the concluding ceremonies, Father Athonyswamy, diocesan youth director, told Matters India.
The events include Mass and cultural programs performed by students from various parishes, schools, and colleges of Patna Archdiocese, said the priest, Bihar state adviser of All India Catholic University Federation. The year-long centenary celebrations were marked by several renewal programs for people.
