St. Peter's Pontifical Institute Marks Milestone with Golden Jubilee Celebration

Bangalore, January 14, 2025: The golden jubilee year of St. Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bangalore, was inaugurated with befitting celebrations on 10 and 11 January 2025. The program began with the solemn Eucharist, presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore and the Chancellor of the Institute.

The formal inauguration of the jubilee was held in the auditorium with Most Rev. Dr. Francis Kalist, Archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore and member of the Board of Administration of the Institute, as president. Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius, Bishop of Dharmapuri and the Vice-Chancellor of the Institute; Rev. Dr. Lucien Legrand, MEP, the Emeritus Professor; Rev. Dr. Richard Britto, Rector, St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary; Rev. Dr. Antony Lawrence, President; and Rev. Dr. Anthony J., the Registrar of the Institute were present on the dais.

Most Rev. Dr. Francis Kalist, in his presidential address, remembered the remarkable blessings of God in the past 50 years and wished continued blessings on the Institute. In his inaugural address, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado expressed his joy that the institute celebrates the golden jubilee coinciding with the Jubilee 2025. He wished that the Institute should become a beacon of light, a sign and symbol of hope, an enduring edifice, and an endearing school of love.

In their felicitation addresses, Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius and Prof. Dr. Lucien Legrand also expressed their desire for the Institute to become a beacon of philosophical and theological education in India.

The second day, 11 January 2025, was dedicated as a “formative day.” It began with the first session in the morning concentrating on the theme, “Theologising in India: Legacy and Envisioning.”

In his talk, Most Rev. Dr. Theodore Mascarenhas underlined that the goal of theology should be to understand the concerns of the Church and our people, find answers from God and provide them to the people and ourselves. In the second talk, Most Rev. Dr. Raphy Manjaly invited the audience to scientifically and critically analyse the data of society, accompanied by listening and interpreting the word of God. Prof. Dr. Bénédicte said that the current times are characterized by a strange paradox. The secularized world does not embrace Christianity as such nor its concrete praxis in churches anymore. Therefore, theology is challenged to prove its “impact.”

A solemn Eucharistic Celebration was held, presided over by Most Rev. Dr. George Antonyswamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore. In his homily, he recalled the significant steps of the Institute and invited the participants to become true and authentic Indian theologians by integrating the word of God through inculturation and following the synodal path envisioned by the recently concluded Synod on Synodality.This was followed by a formative session for the faculty of the Institute and the directors.

The two-day celebrations were concluded with cultural programs and by thanking all those who contributed to the success of this occasion. Rev. Dr. Rengith Ambrose, with the cooperation of the dynamic and dedicated faculty and the students of the Institute, coordinated the entire Golden Jubilee program.

By Rev. Fr Stephen D’Souza, III MCL