Saturday 15 October 2016

HISTORIC RELIGIOUS EVENT


People came in their thousands from all over the world to Preston during the weekend Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October to witness two historic religious events.

On Saturday, the former St. Ignatius Church, Preston, was dedicated as the Cathedral of St. Alphonsa for the new Eparchy-similar to a diocese- for Indian Catholics in the United Kingdom, one of just three outside India. On Sunday over 10,000 worshipers attended Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium, some travelling from as far away as Australia, to witness Fr. Joseph Scrampical installed as Bishop.

Cardinal George Alencherry, the Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church, was the main celebrant for the consecration.

One of the attendees at the colourful ceremony was the Bishop of Lancaster, who described the establishment of the new Eparchy as a clear indication of the care of the Holy See for thousands of Syro-Malibar Catholics who have settled in Great Britain.

When all the ceremonies had been completed over 200 people attended the Garstang Country Hotel for a celebratory dinner and where the above photograph was taken:

Left to right: Bishop Joseph Scrampical, Cardinal George Alencherry and Bishop Michael Campbell of Lancaster. 
Standing behind is Brother Tom Ibison (Snr) Immediate Past President of Garstang Circle and his wife Mary.

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