Belagavi: Bishop of Karwar, Most Rev Dr Derek Fernandes will be installed on Wednesday as the 6th bishop of the Diocese of Belgaum, which is in the southern state of Karnataka. He was appointed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Belgaum by Pope Francis on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. The appointment came after a period of one year, after the former Bishop of the diocese, Most Rev Dr Peter Machado was appointed as the Archbishop of Bengaluru in May last year. The Installation of Bishop Derek will take place in the presence of Archbishop Peter Machado, Bishops of Karnataka and Bishops from all over India and our civil dignitaries.
Born on May 14, 1954 in Sirsi, Bishop Derek was ordained Priest for the Diocese of Belgaum on May 5, 1979. He has a doctorate in Canon Law from Urbaniana University, Rome. As a priest he has worked in different capacities in the diocese and also served as the Administrator of the Diocese from 2004 to 2006, till he was consecrated Bishop of Karwar on March 20, 2007. An able administrator, Bishop Derek has been blessed with exceptional communication skills. Apart from English, he knows Konkani, Kannada, Hindi, Marathi, German, Italian and Tamil and is an proficient preacher with a soft corner for the poor and the marginalized.
He knows the diocese well and was instrumental in the construction of Churches and Educational Institutions and has worked closely with three former Bishops of the diocese, late Bishop Ignatius Lobo, His Grace, Most Rev Bernard Moras, Archbishop Emeritus of Bengaluru, and the present Archbishop of Bengaluru, His Grace, Most Rev Peter Machado.
He is known for his affiliation for the people of other communities and he maintains good relationship with them.
Giving details about the Canonical Possession and Installation Ceremony, the Administrator of the Diocese of Belgaum Rev Fr Eusebio Fernandes said that religious function that includes the Eucharistic Celebration [Holy Mass] and the installation will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Family Rosary of Fatima, Camp, Belagavi at 5 pm.
The Felicitation would commence at around 6.45 pm at the same venue. Among the Bishops who will be present are Most Rev Dr Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bengaluru, Most Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and President of the CCBI, India, Msgr Javier Fernandez, delegate of the
Apostolic Nuncio, Delhi, Most Rev Bernard Moras, Archbishop Emeritus of Bengaluru, 12 other Bishops and bout 400 priests, Sisters and about 3000 Christians from across the region are expected to witness the ceremony.
Bishop Derek who arrived in Belagavi on Monday 17th June, has urged people of all religions to pray for him, so that he could be at the service of all the people of the region.
Civil dignitaries comprising of elected representatives and senior Officials are expected to be present for the Felicitation. “God has been very kind in gifting us a Good Shepherd in Bishop Derek Fernandes, who is also known for his all round personality. We thank and praise God for his goodness towards us,” Fr Eusebio stated.
Meanwhile, elaborate arrangements have been made for the ceremony in the premises of Fatima Cathedral. A huge waterproof pendal has been erected to accommodate about 3000 people who are expected to be present.