Mumbai Archdiocese ordains India's first married deacons

Published: 2006-01-25

NEW DELHI (CNS) -- The Mumbai Archdiocese has ordained India's first married deacons. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India sanctioned the ordination of married deacons in 1983, but Auxiliary Bishop Bosco Penha of Mumbai said the archdiocese was the "first to exercise this." "This was approved long ago, and we thought 'Why should we deny this opportunity to the lay people?'" the bishop said in a telephone interview with Catholic News Service. "We want to use every help that we can get to run the church. There is such a lot of work to be done," added Bishop Penha. The ordination of two men was concelebrated Jan. 22 by Cardinal Ivan Dias of Mumbai, formerly Bombay; his predecessor, Cardinal Simon Pimenta; and three auxiliary bishops. Holy Name Cathedral was packed to capacity. Deacons Lloyd Dias, 74, and Elwyn De Souza, 59, will be assigned to pastoral duties in parishes but will continue to live with their families.

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