Ordination of the new bishop - Rev. Franco Mulakkal assumes auxiliary bishop's role

I did this as an assignment for the Indian Express but the story never made it into the paper.


Chinki Sinha
New Delhi, Feb. 21, 2009

In the sprawling lawns of St. Columba's School on Saturday, 24
bishops and archbishops laid their hands on Rev. Franco Mulakkal's
head in an ancient ritual steeped in symbolism and complete with
prayers, sacred oil and dancing as well.
Franco, 44, who hails from Kerela, was ordained as an auxiliary bishop
for the Delhi Archdiocese. His new role will entail assisting
Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao in his task.
As the Adivasi dancers, resplendent in their purple saris, led a group
of men and women carrying the symbols of faith – the brick, the chaff,
the pigeon and so on – Rev. Franco smiled as he accepted his new role.
About 6,000 people, including numerous priests and nuns from all over
northern India, attended the biligual ceremoney, with lively Adivasi
folk music. For the chuch members, the event itself was reflective of
the diversity of the city.
"We have a heterogencous community. Many of the church members are
Adivasis from tribal areas in Bihar and Jharkhand," Fr. Stanley, a
church official, said.
For Sr. Leona, who stood at the gate in the scorching sun, it was big
day for the parishioners.
"This day we accept him as an officer. He is our shepherd and he will
lead us, guide us," she said, her eyes fixed on the stage, taking in
every moment of the ceremoney.
After all, the ceremony was happening after almost a decade. Franco
was stationed in Jalandhar before he was appointed by Pope Benedict
XVI as the auxiliary bishop in January.
Rev. Franco was born on March 25, 1964, and was ordained priest for
the Diocese of Jalandhar in 1990. He had been serving as the treasurer
of the Apostolic Union of the Clergy, Rome, at the time of his
appointment as bishop.
The Delhi Archdiocese has more than 60 churches under it and includes
seven districts of Haryana. It has more than one lakh members.
Many dignitaries attended the ceremony including Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
In the ceremony, which ran for more than three hours, the high point
was when Rev. Franco prostrated himslef on the floor and then rose
symbolzing the death of his former life and his new birth into a
priestly service.
He then put on his sacred vestments and took over the chalice and paten.
"He is becoming the head of the church," Fr. Stanley said. "This is a
big thing."
Rev. Franco is also the first Kerelaite to become a bishop in Delhi.
For mother and daughter duo, Jessy Joy and Josely Yeshudas, this was
the moment of pride. Both hail from Kerela and Rev. Franco's
appointment meant a lot to them.
Joy bought a nw sari to wear on the occasion too.
"We did special preparation to come and attend the event. This is the
day for us. We have known him and he is a very kind man," Joy said.
The ceremony concluded with an inter-religious prayer service – a
longstanding tradition at the church - where Swami Shantatamananda of
Sri RamaKrishna Mission, Giani Shivteg Singh from the Sikh community,
and Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani of Jamiat Ulema E Hind asked for
blessings for the new bishop.
"They are part of us too. We live in one world," Fr. Dominick Emmanuel said.
Rev. Franco, who has been a consultor on the Pontifical Commission for
Inter-religious dialogue in rome, hopes to work more extensively in
reaching out to other communities and building a relationship.
Sr. Leona couldn't be happier. In times such as ours, she said, that's
a paramount task.
"There's so much violence. Look at Orissa, look at Kerela. That's the
need of the hour and he has taken up to do it," she said.

The symbols

Placing of the Book of Gospels on Rev. Franco's head symbolizes his
call and mission to preach the Gospel.
Rev. Franco also received a ring, mitre and crosier.
The ring that resembles a wedding ring symbolizes his fidelity to the
church. It is worn on his right ring finger and must be worn at all
times.
The mitre, or the hat, is the symbol of authority.
The crosier or the staff is a symbol of the bishop's responsibility as
a shepherd of the diocese.
Rev. Franco chose his motto as "So that in everything God may be glorified."