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of the Event of Episcopal Consecration of Most Rev. Dr. L. Thomas
Aquinas Bishop of Coimbatore |
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On Wednesday, July
10, 2002, the Holy Father Pope John Paul II appointed Very Rev. Fr.
L. Thomas Aquinas, Vicar General of the Diocese of Vellore as the
New Bishop of Coimbatore. The former Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Ambrose,
made this announcement in the Cathedral to the gathering of priests,
religious and laity, who cheered the good news. Under the guidance
of the former bishop, the preparations for the event of the Episcopal
Consecration commenced with the involvement of the priests, religious
and the laity and formation of different committees. |
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On Friday, the
13th July 2002, the consulters of the diocese visited the
Bishop designate at Vellore and extended an informal welcome to him
to the diocese. In a meeting held the Bishop Designate on the same
day, the date, principal consecrator, co-consecrators of the Episcopal
Ordination were fixed. On 27th August 2002, the new car
bought for the new bishop brought him from Vellore to Coimbatore and
a few priests accompanied him from Vellore. At 4 pm on 27th
August, the former Bishop together with priests, religious and laity
welcomed the new Bishop at the entrance of the Cathedral. Afterwards,
a silent prayer followed in the Cathedral and the reception ended
with Tea at the Bishop's House. |
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On Wednesday, 28th
August 2002 at 4.30 pm, the day of the Episcopal Ordination, a motorcade
was arranged from St. Francis' Convent to bring the new Bishop to
the venue ie., the Cathedral Church. The motorcade comprised of 10
youth driving bullets with Papal flags followed by the cars of the
Tamilnadu Bishops who were about 17 in number. |
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The motorcade reached
St. Michael's Hr. Sec. School Campus where the priests who numbered
about 450 welcomed the new Bishop and other Bishops, to vest for mass
at the Centenary hall. A solemn procession of Bishops and priests
took place along the Big Bazaar Street of Coimbatore City. |
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From the entrance
of the Cathedral to the stage and alter, the Ordinandi and the other
Bishops were given a warm welcome by the colorfully dressed girls
dancing to the tune. |
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The principal consecrator
was the former Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. M. Ambrose, Most Rev. Dr. Aruldass
James, Archbishop of Chennai - Mylapore and Most Rev. Dr. Chinnappa,
bishop of Vellore were the co-consecrators. The beautiful and the
orderly arrangements by the committees of Reception, Liturgy, Choir,
Decoration, Publicity, Food and Volunteers enabled a pleasing atmosphere
for this important event to take place in a grand and successful manner.
Spontaneous clapping of hands echoed the whole campus during the important
moments ceremony and that was a sign of accepting the new Bishop as
their own Bishop. |
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About 15,000 people,
1000 nuns, 500 priests and 19 bishops attended the historic event
with great enthusiasm, zeal and reverence.The Episcopal Ordination
ceremony was followed by the public reception in which the dignitaries
of the city of Coimbatore participated and felicitated the New Bishop.
The dignitaries were, |
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Bishops of Tamilnadu |
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Most Rev. Dr. Durai, C.S.I Bishop in Coimbatore |
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The Worshipful Mayor of Coimbatore, Mr. Malaravan |
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Mr. Vanavarayar |
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Rev. Fr. Dr. Ignasimuthu, Vice Chancellor of Madras University |
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The Inspector General of Police ( Coimbatore) |
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Maulavi. C.V. Abu Bakkar Bhagavi |
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The dinner was
served for the Bishops in the Bishop's House Dining hall, for the
priests at the Jeeva Jothi Ashram, for people from Vellore at Presentation
Convent Hr. Sec. School, for nuns in Immaculate Conception Convent
and for the new Bishop's relatives at St. Joseph's Industrial Centre.
Besides, sweet packets were distributed to the whole gathering after
the Eucharistic Celebration. |
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On the following
day, the new Bishop celebrated mass with the diocesan priests, priests
from other dioceses and the religious priests, during which the diocesan
priests paid respect to the new Bishop and offered allegiance to him.
With the grace of God and the strenuous efforts and meticulous planning
carried out by the priests, religious, laity and the innumerable volunteers
of different committees, the sacred event our new Bishop's Episcopal
Ordination turned out to be a historic and memorable one. |
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