Bishop Thomas Dabre, who assumes office today, says promotion of communal harmony is going to be one of his priorities

After Bishop Valerian D’souza bade adieu, with a message of healthy communication within family, Bishop Thomas Dabre takes over the office at Catholic Diocese of Poona with a message of communal harmony. Bishop Thomas Dabre had been the Bishop of Vasai Diocese before he was appointed as the new Bishop of Pune Diocese. Since June 1973 he was a professor at the Jnana Deep Vidyapeeth. He was deputed for higher studies in Theology at the Berkeley University at Chicago, USA. He has completed his doctorate on The God Experience of Tukaram-a study in religious symbolism.

Bishop Dabre has also been holding post of secretary general of the Catholic Conference of the Bishops of India –Latin Rite, chairman of the Doctrinal Commission Of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India. Interestingly, he has studied the teachings of the Marathi Saint Tukaram. To that, Bishop Dabre says, “I find the teachings of Tukaram similar to what Christianity believes in many ways. For example in one his abhangas Tukaram says man who has compassion doesn’t discriminate between friend and foe. Similarly Jesus says Love thy neighbour,“ adding, “Tukaram says Wherever I go you are my companion whereas Jesus says-- I shall be with you till end of the world.”

About the work that the outgoing Bishop Valerian D’Souza had undertaken, he says, “Bishop Valerian D’Souza had stabilised and strengthened the education system in the Diocese. He was also encouraged youth. I would like to continue those policies and take the mission forward.”

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