Bengaluru: Archbishop Emeritus Ignatius Pinto passed away on Feb 8, 2023, at 1.30 a.m. at the Senior Citizens’ Home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, Richmond Town, Bengaluru, due to age-related sickness. He was 98 years old. The Funeral and Burial Services will be held on Friday, Feb 10, 2023, at 10 a.m. St. Francis Xavier’s’ Cathedral, Fraser Town, Bengaluru.
He was born on May 18, 1925, in Bantval. He received Baptism on May 23, 1925, at Holy Family Church, Omzoor, Mangalore. He did his studies at St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore and at Loyola College, Madras. He did his seminary formation at St. Mary’s Seminary, Bangalore and Papal Seminary, Kandy, Srilanka.
In 1953, he served as assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mariapura and during that year, he was also appointed as Secretary at Bishop’s House and Professor at St. Mary’s Seminary, Bangalore. From 1954 to 1956, he served as assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Victories Church, Campion Reefs. In 1956, he served as Secretary at Archbishop’s House, Bangalore. From 1957 to 1960, he did HR studies at Madras. In 1960, he was appointed as Chancellor and Secretary at Archbishop’s House and was in charge of the St. Thomas Building.
From 1961 to 1970, he served as Principal and Manager of St. Joseph’s School, Briand Square. In 1968, he was elected to the Priest’s Council and in 1972 he was appointed as a member of the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. From 1971 to 1978, he served as Principal of St. Aloysius Junior College, Cox Town. From 1978 to 1986, he served as Parish Priest at SFX Cathedral, Cox Town. In 1986, he served as Administrator of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. From 1986 to 1988, he served as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bangalore.
On Nov 14, 1988, the Msgr. Ignatius Pinto, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Bangalore was appointed as the First Bishop of Shimoga diocese by His Holiness Pope John Paul II through his Apostolic Letter “Bonevolentiam Quidem Nostram.” The Episcopal Ordination of the first bishop of Shimoga took place on Jan 31, 1989, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral ground, Shimoga. He was promoted to Archbishop of Bangalore on Sep 10, 1998, and was installed on Nov 25, 1998.
The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Archbishop Ignatius Pinto in conformity with the Code of Canon Law on July 22, 2004. Archbishop Emeritus Ignatius Pinto celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of his Priesthood on Aug 24, 2012. He is a priest for 70 years, and a Bishop for 34 years.
On behalf of all the priests, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese and the entire Christian Community, His Grace Archbishop Peter Machado expressed our deepest condolences to his siblings, close family members, relatives and friends. We pray that Almighty God may give all of them the needed spiritual strength to accept this irreparable loss in the spirit of true Christian faith and hope.
