India News

Media Release

Lucknow, Feb 24, 2015 : The Diocese of Lucknow celebrated with great joy the platinum jubilee of its foundation on February 17, 2015.

The grand celebration was attended by the chief minister of UP. Shri Akhilesh Singh Yadavji, Vatican ambassador to India archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, cabinet minister Shri Rajendra Chowdhary Singhji, the mayor of Lucknow Shri Dinesh Sharmaji, metropolitan archbishop Albert D’souza of Agra and several bishops from the various parts of UP, over 60 priests, many religious men and women and over 2,500 lay faithful and many friends and well wishers.

On February 17 there was a thanksgiving eucharist in the morning after which there was a civic reception during which 5 couples who celebrated the golden jubilee of their wedding as well as 11 priests who completed 75 years in their priestly life were felicitated.

Shri Akhilesh Singh Yadavji also released a ‘special cover’ issued by the postal department in UP to commemorate the platinum jubilee in recognition of the contribution of the diocese in various fields during the past 75 years. It was a joyous occasion for the catholic christian community in the city and in the 10 central and north-eastern districts of the UP State (districts of Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Bahraich, Barabanki, Lucknow, Unnao, Hardoi, Sitapur and Lakhimpur), who are serving the people in various educational, health-care, social developmental and other special institutions.

An exhibition showing the history and work of each mission station or church, a video film on the same and a thematic puppet show were shown to various school children and others in the days prior to the celebration. An inter-religious meeting with the religious gurus of various faiths was held at the cathedral hall on February 14, 2015 as a mark of inter-religious cooperation and friendship among the adherents of the different religions in the city of Lucknow and beyond.

In their speeches on the occasion both the chief minister and the Lucknow mayor commended and appreciated the service of the Church of Lucknow to the people in Uttar Pradesh during the past 75 years, especially the recognition given to the couples who were completing 50 years of their married life and recognition of the elderly priests of the diocese. It was indeed a joyous and happy celebration for the entire diocese.