Cathedral of Our Lady of Milagris, in Maharashtra to Stand as Beacon of Hope and Gospel Values, Says Cardinal Gracias

Sawantwadi, Maharashtra, May 10, 2026 — Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, described the newly dedicated Cathedral of Our Lady of Milagris as a “beacon of hope, love, light and Gospel values” during a felicitation programme held after the Eucharistic celebration of its dedication on May 9.

The solemn dedication ceremony of the Cathedral of the Diocese of Sindhudurg was presided over by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, while Cardinal Gracias inaugurated the Cathedral. Several bishops and priests concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.

Reflecting on the dedication rites, Cardinal Gracias highlighted the spiritual significance of the ceremony, including the blessing of the altar, the use of incense and light, and the homily. He described the Cathedral as the “mother church” of the Diocese of Sindhudurg, from which other churches in the diocese would draw inspiration and unity.

The Cardinal said Bishop Agnelo Pinheiro would gather the faithful around Jesus Christ, whose presence would be experienced through the Eucharist and sacraments celebrated in the Cathedral, including Baptism, marriage and funerals.

“Every church is the presence of Christ,” Cardinal Gracias said, adding that the Cathedral would strengthen faith, console the sorrowful, encourage the lonely, inspire young people in their vocation, and welcome the poor with dignity.

He also said the architectural beauty of the Cathedral would remind the people of Sawantwadi of God’s presence and Gospel values within the Christian community.

Cardinal Gracias congratulated Alwyn Barreto for his years of dedication, fundraising and supervision that led to the completion of the Cathedral project. He noted that Bishop Alwyn had handed over a precious gift to his successor.

In a symbolic comparison, the Cardinal described Bishop Alwyn as the architect who built the Cathedral structure, while Bishop Agnelo would now build “a cathedral of living stones” — a faith-filled community rooted in apostolic values, love and hope.

Concluding his address, Cardinal Gracias prayed for God’s blessings upon the Diocese of Sindhudurg, its people and the Church in India, describing the occasion as historic and grace-filled.

By Br Malvino Alfonso

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