Delhi’s New Archbishop Anil J. T. Couto Installed
New Delhi (CBCI News): Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto was installed as the Archbishop of Delhi at a Holy Mass and public ceremony held at the St. Columba’s School grounds, here, Sunday, January 20. Some Eight thousand people, twenty bishops, over two hundred priests, and several religious women and men attended the function. Archbishop Couto’s mother and a few of his close relatives were also present to witness the ceremony.
The new Archbishop of Delhi was welcomed by a school band at the Archbishop’s House. He was led to the altar in procession by Archbishop emeritus Vincent M. Concessao, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Salvotore Penacchio, several bishops and priests. The Nuncio in his message wished Archbishop Anil a fruitful pastoral ministry, and imparted the blessings of the Pope on all the faithful. He also thanked Archbishop Vincent for his faithful and dedicated pastoral leadership and service as the archbishop of Delhi.
During his homily newly elected Archbishop Anil Couto thanked God for choosing him, and promised to try his best “to get into the shoes of my predecessor”. Quoting Ignatius of Antioch’s writings, he highlighted the close relationship between a bishop and his faithful people.
A felicitation programme which followed the Eucharistic celebration was attended by several dignitaries like bureaucrats, diplomats, government representatives from the Delhi and Punjab. Leaders of other religions and Churches and Christian denominations spoke on this occasion and prayed for the new archbishop.
Anil Couto was born to Mr.Avito Couto and Mrs.Ernestina Couto, a devout Catholic couple, in Goa, in 1954. He was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Delhi in 1981. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Delhi on March 11, 2001. In 2007 he was appointed Bishop of Jalandhar. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Archbishop of Delhi on 30th November 2012.
The Delhi Archdiocese has an estimated 80,000 Catholics of the Latin rite in Delhi and Haryana, and 83 Parishes and Mission centres and 112 incardinated priests.