Date:03/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/03/stories/2006080322460300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Cater to spiritual needs of people, priests told

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: Archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore Rev. Anandarayar called upon priests to be available to cater to the growing spiritual needs of people by constant personal prayer.

About 390 priests from across India, including Gulbarga Bishop Robert Miranda and Mysore Bishop Thomas Vazhapilly met at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Malleswarm, on Wednesday for an interaction and exchange of priestly experiences and problems. All the participants were alumni of the institution. "By being priests and answering God's call is venturing into the unknown, taking risks, accepting difficulties and only the grace of God can sustain," said Rossignol of the Paris Foreign Mission Society, former Rector of the seminary, in his keynote address. Rector of the seminary Sebastian Perianan said: "St. Peter's seminary (formally called Grand Seminaire) has trained several hundreds of priests over the last 72 years and has an impressive list of Bishops who were former students here." Cardinal Lourduswamy is a former student of St. Peter's. Priests aged between 26 and 75 shared experiences. The interaction sought to help priests support one another in the mission experience and explore ways of adding meaning to life.