Archbishop Ignatius Paul Pinto, Passes away.
Bangalore 8th February 2023 (CCBI): Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Paul Pinto, (98) Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore, passed away around 01.30 am on Wednesday 8 February 2023 at the Senior Citizens’ Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor at Richmond Town, Bangalore. Funeral will be held on Friday 10 February 2023 at 10am St. Francis Xaviers’ Cathedral, Bangalore.
He was Born on 18 May 1925 , Bantval. He received Baptism on 23 May 1925 at Holy Family Church, Omzoor, Mangalore. He did his studies at St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore and at Loyola College, Madras. He did his seminary formation at St. Mary’s Seminary, Bangalore and Papal Seminary, Kandy, Srilanka.
In 1953, he served as assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mariapura and during that year, he was also appointed as Secretary at Bishop’s House and Professor at St. Mary’s Seminary, Bangalore. From 1954 to 1956, he served as assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Victories Church, Campion Reefs. In 1956, he served as Secretary at Archbishop’s House, Bangalore. From 1957 to 1960, he did HR studies at Madras. In 1960, he was appointed as Chancellor and Secretary at Archbishop’s House and was in charge of the St. Thomas Building.
From 1961 to 1970, he served as Principal and Manager of St. Joseph’s School, Briand Square. In 1968, he was elected to the Priest’s Council and in 1972 he was appointed as the member of the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. From 1971 to 1978, he served as Principal of St. Aloysius Junior College, Cox Town. From 1978 to 1986, he served as Parish Priest at SFX Cathedral, Cox Town. In 1986, he served as Administrator of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. From 1986 to 1988, he served as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bangalore.
On 14 Nov 1988 the Msgr. Ignatius Pinto, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Bangalore was appointed as First Bishop of Shimoga diocese by His Holiness Pope John Paul II through his Apostolic Letter “Bonevolentiam Quidem Nostram.” The Episcopal Ordination of the first bishop of Shimoga took place on 31 Jan 1989, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral ground, Shimoga. He was promoted as Archbishop of Bangalore on 10 Sept 1998 and was installed on 25 Nov 1998. From 1994 to 1998, he served as Secretary General of the CCBI.
The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Archbishop Ignatius Pinto in conformity with the Code of Canon Law on 22 July 2004. Archbishop Emeritus Ignatius Pinto celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of his Priesthood on 24 Aug 2012. He is a priest for 70 years, a Bishop for 34 years.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI