St. Philomena’s Church, which is more than 200-years- old and one of the major tourist attractions in Mysuru, is being spruced up for the consecration ceremony of Rev. K.A. William, who has been appointed as the new Bishop of Mysore Diocese by Pope Francis.

The consecration ceremony will be held between 4.30 pm and 7 pm at the Church premises today evening.

A 70×40 ft. stage has been erected and decorated in the Church premises by about 300 workers while seating arrangements have been made by putting up more than 8000 chairs at the venue. Fr. N.T. Joseph, Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, told SOM that about 24 Bishops, Priests from various Churches across the State and Ministers Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Tanveer Sait and K.J. George will be attending the consecration ceremony.

He said that former Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Antony Vazhapilly, who is the Apostolic Administrator of Mysore Diocese will be the Principal Consecrator while Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Arch-Diocese of Bengaluru and Most Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Swamy, Bishop of Chikkamagalur Diocese will be the Co-Consecrators.

He said that the before the commencement of the consecration ceremony, new Bishop Rev. Msgr. K.A. William, accompanied by various Bishops and Priests will be taken in a procession from the front gate of the Church to the stage where the ceremony will be held.

After the consecration ceremony, a farewell function has been organised for outgoing Bishop Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Vazhapilly, said Fr. N.T. Joseph and added that guests and dignitaries would be felicitated on the occasion.