Mangaluru: The Pastoral Institute, Shanthi Kiran, in collaboration with the Diocesan Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (DBCLC), organised an ongoing formation programme for the clergy of the Diocese of Mangalore on August 11, 2026.

The two-day study programme aims to provide priests with pastoral and practical guidelines for implementing revised liturgical norms across parishes and ensuring uniformity in worship.

Bishop urges priests to understand revised norms

Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, delivered the keynote address and welcomed the participating clergy. He also introduced the resource person, Rev. Fr Rudolph Raj Pinto, OCD, Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Liturgy.

Bishop Saldanha urged the priests to make the best use of the sessions to gain a thorough understanding of the revised liturgical norms and ensure uniform and dignified divine worship throughout the diocese.

Sessions focus on liturgical practice

Rev. Fr Rudolph Raj Pinto, OCD, conducted comprehensive sessions on key pastoral and liturgical subjects. A liturgical scholar from Gurpur, Mangaluru, he is the first member of the Karnataka-Goa Carmelite Province to hold a Doctorate in Sacred Liturgy.

The sessions focused on four key areas:

  • New Konkani Missal: Pastoral guidelines for implementing general liturgical norms during the celebration of the Sacraments.
  • Liturgical Calendar: Practical guidance for interpreting and implementing the liturgical calendar in parish ministry.
  • Sacred Music and Worship: Clarifications on approved liturgical hymns, the appropriate use of musical instruments and the preservation of the sacred character of liturgical celebrations.

Clergy participate in two phases

The first day of the programme saw the participation of priests serving across six vicariates — Mangalore City, Moodbidri, Bantwal, Pezar, Bela and Mogarnad.

Priests from the remaining six vicariates — Episcopal City, Surathkal, Kirem, Permannur, Puttur and Belthangady — are scheduled to attend the second phase on August 12.

The programme is being coordinated under the leadership of Rev. Fr Santhosh Rodrigues, Director of the Pastoral Institute, and Rev. Fr Rohith Dcosta, Director of DBCLC.

The formation programme seeks to strengthen the clergy’s understanding of revised liturgical practices and support their consistent and dignified implementation across parishes of the Diocese of Mangalore. #MangaloreDiocese #Mangaluru #ClergyFormation #Liturgy #KonkaniMissal #CatholicChurch #ShanthiKiran #DBCLC #NewsKarnataka