Almost a decade later, more than 6,000 Christians including 3,000 from Punjab will witness yet another ordination ceremony at the Sacred Heart Cathedral premises on Saturday.

For most Catholics in the city, it is a big moment, laden with expectation and for the archdiocese, it is a moment of change.

Fr Franco Mulakkal, who will be ordained in a liturgical ceremony, hails from Kerela. He has been a priest in the Jalandhar diocese and has spent a few months in Rome, working as well as studying.

“He is certainly qualified,” said Fr Dominic Emmanuel, spokesperson for the church. “The selection in the church is never based on extra qualities. The disciples that Jesus chose were fishermen. They were simple people.”

Fr Mulakkal has been chosen to assist Archbishop Vincent M Concessao.

The ceremony will be conducted in the presence of the Vatican ambassador to India, Pedro Lopez Qunitana, who will preside over the liturgical ceremony to consecrate Fr Mulakkal. Speaking about the role of the church, Fr Dominick said: “Basically because Delhi is such a large city there is a lot of scope for the work of the church. The church wants to make a stand on many issues.” Fr Mulakkal holds a bachelor’s degree from Nagpur University and a master’s in English Literature and Sociology from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. He also has a doctorate in Moral Theology from Alphonsian Academy of Lateran University, Rome.