Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore Archdiocese Alphonsos Mathias passes away
Bengaluru, Jul 10: The Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore Archdiocese Alphonsos Mathias passed away on Wednesday in a private hospital here in Bengaluru due to age-related diseases, the Archdiocese of Bangalore authorities said.
Mathias was 96, the authorities said.
They also said the last rites will be performed on July 11.
The Archbishop Emeritus was born on June 22, 1928 in Pangala village in South Canara district of Karnataka.
He was the fourth child of Diego Mathias and Philomena D'Souza.
His journey into the priesthood began in June 1945 when he joined St Joseph Seminary in Jeppu, Mangaluru.
He was ordained a priest on August 24, 1954, at Kandy, Fr Alphonsus celebrated his first Solemn Mass at Pangala Church, returning to his native village at the end of that year.
On September 12, 1986, Bishop Alphonsus was appointed as the Archbishop of Bangalore, and he took charge as the Metropolitan Archbishop on December 3, 1986.
Archbishop Alphonsus had decided to resign in 1998, six years before the customary retirement age.
"His passing on July 10, 2024, marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the lives he touched, and the church he served so faithfully," the Archdiocese of Bangalore said in a statement.
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Shivakumar opposes ‘One Nation One Election’, calls it ‘unworkable’
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday strongly opposed the central government’s proposed ‘One Nation One Election’ initiative.
Shivakumar expressed his views at a dialogue on ‘One Nation One Election’ organised by the Joint Parliamentary Study Committee.
He said the plan is a politically motivated, power-centralising scheme that would seriously damage India’s federal structure by weakening states and poses a threat to the democratic system, according to a statement from his office.
As KPCC president and deputy CM of Karnataka, he categorically rejected the proposal, stating that it is being crafted to suit the convenience of those in power at the Centre.
Shivakumar said that the Karnataka Legislative Assembly had already passed a resolution opposing ‘One Nation One Election’ and read out the resolution at the meeting.
He firmly stated that it is “not a workable plan” and added that it is “practically impossible.”
“If a government falls midterm due to political instability, a no-confidence motion, or loss of majority, what is the solution?” he asked.
“Elections are held at different times in different states for different terms. Karnataka had its election in 2023, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala had theirs in 2021, and Punjab and Telangana in 2022 and 2023, respectively. How can these elections with varying schedules be synchronised?” he asked.
He added that the proposal is a ploy to suppress the voices of regional and Opposition parties.
He also said the Karnataka government does not agree with the proposal and remains committed to the position of the Congress party’s national leadership.
