PUNE DIOCESE: VATICAN’S HUNT FOR THE NEW BISHOP IS ON
CAMIL PARKHE
reporters@sakaaltimes.com
The Vatican has launched its long and confidential procedure to choose suc cessor to Pune Bishop Valerian D’Souza, who is expected to retire on October 3 on completion of 75 years.
The process for selecting a bishop often takes some months and sometimes even a year. Therefore, Bishop Valerian had submitted his resignation letter to Pope Benedict XVI in June, this year, to facilitate the search for the new incumbent in Pune Bishop’s House.
As per the Catholic Church practice, the selection process for the new bishop is conducted by the Pro-Nuncio, the papal ambassador based in the respective country, in coordination with the administration in the diocese concerned.
Panels of a few priests in the diocese and also outside the diocese are considered for the post. The selection committee seeks views of some senior priests on character, administrative abilities etc of the probable candidates. The process goes on until the selection committee shortlists a few candidates. The pro-nuncio in New Delhi then sends the list of the shortlisted priests to the Pope for his final approval.
No lobbying, canvassing or signature campaigns are permitted in the selection process.
Secrecy in the selection process is considered of utmost importance. Therefore, none of the officials in the Pune diocese would like to either con?rm or deny launch of the search for the new bishop.
“Priests having good administrative experience are considered for the post of the bishop who has to ensure smooth functioning of various parishes, schools, colleges, social service centres in his diocese,” said Fr Joe Pithekar, a senior Jesuit who has been a witness to appointments of many bishops in various dioceses in the State.
Prior to his selection as bishop, D’Souza had served as principal of St. Jude’s School in Dehu Road for seven years and was also the vicar general, the second-in command in the diocese hierarchy.
If the Holy See has already stamped its approval on a candidate as the new bishop, his name would be announced on or before October 3. If the selection process is not completed by then, the Vatican may ask Bishop D’Souza to continue till his successor is announced and takes over the charge.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
KARVE’S SEX LITERACY MAGAZINE REVIVED
KARVE’S SEX LITERACY MAGAZINE REVIVED
CAMIL PARKHE reporters@sakaaltimes.com
PUNE: Samaj Swasthya, a Marathi sex education magazine published by R D Karve till 1950s, has been revived by a group of activists who say the periodical is needed now more than the conservative society of the previous century.
January 14 is the 126th birth anniversary of Raghunath Dhondo Karve, pioneer of birth control measures and sex education in India.
The activists said that the younger generation urgently needs sex education at a time when it is exposed to sex-related materials in the media and the State government is dillydallying over plans to introduce sex education in schools.
“We want our society to develop scientific attitude towards sexual health,” said Sanglibased Dr Pradeep Patil, psychiatrist and editor of the revived periodical. The first issue of the bi-monthly was released in October, last year.
Patil said this is the only Marathi magazine providing sex education from purely scientific and psychological aspects. The magazine’s editorial board com prises Anjali Mulay, Manisha Sabnis and Ashutosh Shirke. The email address of the magazine is samajswasthya@yahoo.in Samaj Swasthya, published by Karve from 1927 to 1953, had scandalised the conservative people in Mumbai, Pune and other towns as it carried photos of nude models on its cover and a logo, ‘Nudity lies in the eyes of the beholder’.
The magazine carried articles attempting to provide scientific information on sex and birth control methods at a time when even the word ‘sex’ was a taboo.
In Pune, Karve’s mission was actively supported by his cousin Shakuntalabai Paranjapye, daughter of Wrangler R P Paranjapye, India’s first high commissioner to Australia.
Shakuntalabai who regularly wrote in ‘Samaj Swasthya’ during those days also ran a birth control clinic for women at her residence located opposite Fergusson College.
Amol Palekar has directed a Marathi film ‘Dhyas Parva’ on the life and mission of Karve. EMAILreporters@sakaaltimes.com
CAMIL PARKHE reporters@sakaaltimes.com
PUNE: Samaj Swasthya, a Marathi sex education magazine published by R D Karve till 1950s, has been revived by a group of activists who say the periodical is needed now more than the conservative society of the previous century.
January 14 is the 126th birth anniversary of Raghunath Dhondo Karve, pioneer of birth control measures and sex education in India.
The activists said that the younger generation urgently needs sex education at a time when it is exposed to sex-related materials in the media and the State government is dillydallying over plans to introduce sex education in schools.
“We want our society to develop scientific attitude towards sexual health,” said Sanglibased Dr Pradeep Patil, psychiatrist and editor of the revived periodical. The first issue of the bi-monthly was released in October, last year.
Patil said this is the only Marathi magazine providing sex education from purely scientific and psychological aspects. The magazine’s editorial board com prises Anjali Mulay, Manisha Sabnis and Ashutosh Shirke. The email address of the magazine is samajswasthya@yahoo.in Samaj Swasthya, published by Karve from 1927 to 1953, had scandalised the conservative people in Mumbai, Pune and other towns as it carried photos of nude models on its cover and a logo, ‘Nudity lies in the eyes of the beholder’.
The magazine carried articles attempting to provide scientific information on sex and birth control methods at a time when even the word ‘sex’ was a taboo.
In Pune, Karve’s mission was actively supported by his cousin Shakuntalabai Paranjapye, daughter of Wrangler R P Paranjapye, India’s first high commissioner to Australia.
Shakuntalabai who regularly wrote in ‘Samaj Swasthya’ during those days also ran a birth control clinic for women at her residence located opposite Fergusson College.
Amol Palekar has directed a Marathi film ‘Dhyas Parva’ on the life and mission of Karve. EMAILreporters@sakaaltimes.com
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Singing bishop to take final bow
Singing bishop to take final bow
Camil Parkhe
Thursday, September 18th, 2008 AT 5:09 PM
Tags: Bishop
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DIVINE RHYTHM: Bishop Valerian D’Souza
PUNE: Bishop Valerian D’Souza, the bishop of Pune and country’s longest serving bishop, who turns 75 on October 3 has urged Pope Benedict XVI not to grant him extension after his retirement.
In his resignation letter submitted to the Holy See, the bishop, who is known in the international religious circles as the singing bishop, has said he should be relieved of the post with effect from October 3.
As per the Canon Law, which governs the Catholic Church, a bishop’s retirement age is 75 while a cardinal retires at the age of 80.
Pope Paul VI had appointed D’Souza as Pune Bishop in 1977 when he was only 43. Normally only priests who are in their 50s are appointed to this important post in the church hierarchy.
Talking to Sakaal Times on Wednesday, Bishop D’Souza said that it was up to the Vatican to take a decision on his successor. It is probable that the Vatican may have launched its search for the new incumbent in the local Bishop’s House and that D’Souza may be asked to serve a few more months as an interim arrangement.
When D’Souza was appointed bishop, the jurisdiction of Pune diocese included 11 revenue districts - from Nandurbar in the Khandesh to Sawantwadi in the Konkan region.
At that time, Pune was the third largest diocese in India. Subsequently, Nashik diocese was carved out of Pune diocese in 1987 and Sindhudurg diocese in 2005.
Now the Pune diocese comprises Pune, Satara, Solapur, Sangli districts and also Kolhapur city.
Camil Parkhe
Thursday, September 18th, 2008 AT 5:09 PM
Tags: Bishop
Close...
DIVINE RHYTHM: Bishop Valerian D’Souza
PUNE: Bishop Valerian D’Souza, the bishop of Pune and country’s longest serving bishop, who turns 75 on October 3 has urged Pope Benedict XVI not to grant him extension after his retirement.
In his resignation letter submitted to the Holy See, the bishop, who is known in the international religious circles as the singing bishop, has said he should be relieved of the post with effect from October 3.
As per the Canon Law, which governs the Catholic Church, a bishop’s retirement age is 75 while a cardinal retires at the age of 80.
Pope Paul VI had appointed D’Souza as Pune Bishop in 1977 when he was only 43. Normally only priests who are in their 50s are appointed to this important post in the church hierarchy.
Talking to Sakaal Times on Wednesday, Bishop D’Souza said that it was up to the Vatican to take a decision on his successor. It is probable that the Vatican may have launched its search for the new incumbent in the local Bishop’s House and that D’Souza may be asked to serve a few more months as an interim arrangement.
When D’Souza was appointed bishop, the jurisdiction of Pune diocese included 11 revenue districts - from Nandurbar in the Khandesh to Sawantwadi in the Konkan region.
At that time, Pune was the third largest diocese in India. Subsequently, Nashik diocese was carved out of Pune diocese in 1987 and Sindhudurg diocese in 2005.
Now the Pune diocese comprises Pune, Satara, Solapur, Sangli districts and also Kolhapur city.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Features >> Literature A girl who becomes the President
Camil Parkhe
Monday, December 08th, 2008 AT 1:12 PM
Tags: Rashtrapati Pratibhatai Patil (Marathi), book review, president
Title: Rashtrapati Pratibhatai Patil (Marathi)
Author: Chhaya Mahajan
Publisher: Rohan Prakashan
Pages: 156
Price: Rs 150
Five decades ago, a college-going student was encouraged by her family members to seek nomination to contest the State Assembly election in Maharashtra. Y B Chavan, the first chief minister of Maharashtra, offered her Congress ticket and the girl won the poll. Pratibha Patil later also won the distinction to be the first woman President of India.
Rashtrapati Pratibhatai Patil, a Marathi book written by Dr Chhaya Mahajan, chronicles the journey of a girl born in a conservative family from Jalgaon to the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Pratibha Patil holds many firsts in her 50 years long public life. She was among a handful of women politicians in Maharashtra and in the country who had proved their political leadership in various capacities. She was only 27 and without any political legacy in her family when she entered Maharashtra State legislature in 1962. A loyalist of the Congress party, she held important political posts including that of a cabinet minister in the Maharashtra government and the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha before she suddenly went into political hibernation. The political pundits had almost written off when after the return of the Congress at the Centre, she took over the gubernatorial post in Rajasthan.
The book, which is based on a series of interviews with Patil, deals with various events in her personal life — her childhood, marriage and continuous struggle to successfully play her roles as wife, mother, minister, governor and now as the President. The author has pointed out that this had even some times caused tension, albeit temporarily, in her family life. Patil’s views on feminism, a woman’s role in family and in public life, and the so-called conservatism or traditionalism versus modern, liberal outlook becomes interesting addition in the book in this perspective.
The author has mentioned that Pratibha Patil is among a few politicians in Maharashtra who had never quit the Congress, not even after the turbulent political period of the Emergency and has written about her intimate relationship with the Gandhi family. It would have been better if the biographer had dealt in depth on how Patil faced crises in her political life — especially during the Emergency and later — and her close relationship with the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The author also fails to highlight her personality as a politician. However, the author’s narration style is impressive.
Camil Parkhe
Monday, December 08th, 2008 AT 1:12 PM
Tags: Rashtrapati Pratibhatai Patil (Marathi), book review, president
Title: Rashtrapati Pratibhatai Patil (Marathi)
Author: Chhaya Mahajan
Publisher: Rohan Prakashan
Pages: 156
Price: Rs 150
Five decades ago, a college-going student was encouraged by her family members to seek nomination to contest the State Assembly election in Maharashtra. Y B Chavan, the first chief minister of Maharashtra, offered her Congress ticket and the girl won the poll. Pratibha Patil later also won the distinction to be the first woman President of India.
Rashtrapati Pratibhatai Patil, a Marathi book written by Dr Chhaya Mahajan, chronicles the journey of a girl born in a conservative family from Jalgaon to the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Pratibha Patil holds many firsts in her 50 years long public life. She was among a handful of women politicians in Maharashtra and in the country who had proved their political leadership in various capacities. She was only 27 and without any political legacy in her family when she entered Maharashtra State legislature in 1962. A loyalist of the Congress party, she held important political posts including that of a cabinet minister in the Maharashtra government and the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha before she suddenly went into political hibernation. The political pundits had almost written off when after the return of the Congress at the Centre, she took over the gubernatorial post in Rajasthan.
The book, which is based on a series of interviews with Patil, deals with various events in her personal life — her childhood, marriage and continuous struggle to successfully play her roles as wife, mother, minister, governor and now as the President. The author has pointed out that this had even some times caused tension, albeit temporarily, in her family life. Patil’s views on feminism, a woman’s role in family and in public life, and the so-called conservatism or traditionalism versus modern, liberal outlook becomes interesting addition in the book in this perspective.
The author has mentioned that Pratibha Patil is among a few politicians in Maharashtra who had never quit the Congress, not even after the turbulent political period of the Emergency and has written about her intimate relationship with the Gandhi family. It would have been better if the biographer had dealt in depth on how Patil faced crises in her political life — especially during the Emergency and later — and her close relationship with the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The author also fails to highlight her personality as a politician. However, the author’s narration style is impressive.
Santa to cheer sans jingle bells
Pune Santa to cheer sans jingle bells
Camil Parkhe
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 AT 12:12 AM
Tags: Santa, Christmas, Mumbai terror, Orissa violence
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Pune: Santa Claus will cheer children and others at all city churches following Christmas midnight mass on Wednesday, but it will not be followed by the customary fire works or bash.
The Catholics Bishops Conference of India has instead asked the faithful to pray for the victims of the terror attack in Mumbai and those who suffered during the recent violence against Christians in Kandhmal district of Orissa.
“Christmas celebrations this year will be strikingly different. No bash this time, it will only be church celebrations and the traditional family unions,’’ said Pune Catholic Sabha president Diago Almeida.
Almeida said that Pune Police Commissioner Dr Satyapal Singh has permitted use of loudspeakers at all churches for the Christmas midnight mass on December 24 and the New Year midnight mass on December 31.
The Mumbai terror and Orissa episodes also had impact on the weeklong door-to-door carol singing conducted by youth groups prior to Christmas.
Some Christian schools also called off their annual social gatherings this month as a mark of sympathy for the kin of those who lost their life in the terror attack.
Some churches in the city have also called off get-togethers of their parishioners normally held during the Christmas week.
The Christmas religious celebrations in the city will be led by Pune Bishop Valerian D’Souza concelebrating the midnight mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, preceded by traditional carol singing at 11 pm. The cathedral parish, incidentally, is the most populous in whole Pune diocese with as many as 12,000 parishioners.Masses will also be celebrated at all churches on the morning of December 25
Camil Parkhe
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 AT 12:12 AM
Tags: Santa, Christmas, Mumbai terror, Orissa violence
Close...
Pune: Santa Claus will cheer children and others at all city churches following Christmas midnight mass on Wednesday, but it will not be followed by the customary fire works or bash.
The Catholics Bishops Conference of India has instead asked the faithful to pray for the victims of the terror attack in Mumbai and those who suffered during the recent violence against Christians in Kandhmal district of Orissa.
“Christmas celebrations this year will be strikingly different. No bash this time, it will only be church celebrations and the traditional family unions,’’ said Pune Catholic Sabha president Diago Almeida.
Almeida said that Pune Police Commissioner Dr Satyapal Singh has permitted use of loudspeakers at all churches for the Christmas midnight mass on December 24 and the New Year midnight mass on December 31.
The Mumbai terror and Orissa episodes also had impact on the weeklong door-to-door carol singing conducted by youth groups prior to Christmas.
Some Christian schools also called off their annual social gatherings this month as a mark of sympathy for the kin of those who lost their life in the terror attack.
Some churches in the city have also called off get-togethers of their parishioners normally held during the Christmas week.
The Christmas religious celebrations in the city will be led by Pune Bishop Valerian D’Souza concelebrating the midnight mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, preceded by traditional carol singing at 11 pm. The cathedral parish, incidentally, is the most populous in whole Pune diocese with as many as 12,000 parishioners.Masses will also be celebrated at all churches on the morning of December 25
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