Friday, 26 July 2019

Baruipur Diocese consecrates Fr. Shyamal Bose as their Co-Adjutor Bishop

ISAAC HAROLD GOMES

On 24 March 1961, when the fourth child, a son, was born to Martin and Geeta Bose at Gosaba, a remote village in the Sunderbans, one wonders whether his parents envisioned that one day their son would fill them with God’s Glory by first becoming a priest and then by his transition to Bishop of
Baruipur Diocese. In fact in an interview taken by Joachim Ashim Campoo, Fr Shyamal Bose had revealed that the cherished dream of his father (who came from a lineage of Catechists) was that at least one of his sons would one day be a priest.

Therefore, Monday 24th June 2019 was a golden day in the annals of the Diocese of Baruipur as it was the Episcopal Ordination of “Gharer Chelay (the local lad)” Fr. Shyamal Bose. Prior to this on 17th May 2019 Bishop Theodore Masceranhas, Secretary General of Catholic Bishops Conference
of India (CBCI) had circulated a letter that Pope Francis had appointed Fr. Shyamal Bose, Financial Administrator & Chancellor of Baruipur, as Co-adjutor Bishop of the Diocese.



The crowning glory of the Episcopal Ordination was the presence of all the three bishops of Baruipur: Bishop Linus Gomes (98 years), who had ordained Fr Shyamal Bose and was the first Bishop of Baruipur from 1978 to 1995, Bishop Salvadore Lobo his successor, and the incumbent
Shyamal Bose who was ordained as the joint Bishop of Baruipur Diocese today at a three-and-a-half hour Eucharistic Celebration witnessed by 3500+ faithful at the Holy Cross High School grounds.

Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of the Archdiocese of Calcutta was the main celebrant along with Bishop Salvadore Lobo, Bishop Emeritus Linus Gomes, Bishop Joseph Suren Gomes, Bishop Stephen Lepcha: Darjeeling, Bishop Vincent Aind: Bagdogra, Bishop Cyprian Monis: Asansol and
several other Bishops. Also present were Monsignor Partick Saw Zay Han: First Secretary Apostolic Nunciature Delhi and Rev. Fr Laurentue Dankuja from the Pontifical Academy of Rome.

While ordaining Rev. Fr. Shyamal Bose as a Bishop, Archbishop Thomas resonated that a Bishop’s prime duty was not to rule but to tend to his flock and listen patiently to their suggestions for wholesome growth of the community. After praying with all fellow bishops, Archbishop Thomas
D’Souza put his hands on Fr. Shyamal Bose’s head, anointed him as the new Bishop and presented to him the Bishop’s ring, cap, crown and Crosier.


Thereafter the Archbishop, all the bishops, Vicar General and Provincials greeted him with warm hugs. In his address, Bishop Shyamal Bose first thanked his father as his first teacher & catechist
and his late mother. He went down from the altar to his aging father to seek his blessing. Then he thanked Bishop Linus Gomes who ordained him on 5th May 1991, Bishop Salvadore Lobo for being his mentor, and all his religious colleagues.

The memorable event ended with a brief cultural programme and a short presentation on the
life sketch of Fr Shyamal Bose (now Bishop) prepared by Joachim Ashim Campoo. The Liturgy was admirably conducted by Fr Kanauj Roy and Fr Tushar Augustine Gomes. Considering Bishop Shyamal Bose’s interest in empowerment through education, it will be quite an engaging task for him to be a Fisher of Men and to teach his flock the Art of Fishing to address unemployment or under-employment in his diocese.

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