Mangaluru: To immortalize the visit of then Pope, John Paul II, 20 years ago to the coastal town, a rally was organized from the Bishop’s house to Bajpe parish here on Sunday. The rally was held ahead of the inauguration of the statue of Pope John Paul II on November 27.
During the Papal visit devotees from all over had gathered in lacs at Bajpe where the Pope had addressed them. The Shrine has been built to immortalize his visit.
Prior to the rally, the Bishop of Mangaluru diocese, blessed the statue. Meanwhile Joachim D’costa, the convenor of the vehicle rally handed over the flag to the bishop and parish priest Fr Leo lobo.
The statue of St John Paul weighing 900kg and 6.5ft made of bronze was taken in a rally. The statue which was made in Indonesia was gifted by the Vatican city to the Mangaluru diocese.
On November 27 the statue will be inaugurated by the Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio.
The parish priest and members of St Lawrence Church, Bondel welcomed the statue and sought blessings.
MLC Ivan D’Souza, Rachana vice-president Stany Alvares, Diocesan Secretary, M P Noronha, Fr Denis Moras were present. Hundreds of vehicles were part of the rally.
