Fr Alwyn Dias Elected Provincial Minister of Holy Trinity Capuchin Province – Karnataka
Bengaluru: On the third day, of the eighth Provincial Chapter of the Holy Trinity Capuchin Province – Karnataka held at Franciscan Institute of Spirituality in India (FISI), Bengaluru, which commenced on April 22, the Capuchin Friars have elected Fr Alwyn Dias as the Provincial Minister and Fr Paul Melwyn D’Souza as the Vicar Provincial and Fr Peter Cyprian D’Souza, Fr Robin D’Souza and Fr William Prabhu as the Provincial Councillors.
Fr Alwyn Dias hails from Paladka parish of Mangaluru diocese. Earlier he had worked in the Missions of Nagaland and in Ujire as the Director of Students at Dayalbagh Ashram. He was sent for higher studies in Paris, France. Later he obtained his PhD in Theology from the University of Catholique de Paris, France. He was Vicar Provincial of the Karnataka Capuchin province for two terms. He was Executive Secretary of Capuchin Education Board, Karnataka. He was appointed as the Director of St Anthony’s Institutions, Kengeri, Bengaluru. He was also appointed as the member if the Advisory Board for the NSS Department, Bangalore University in 2018.
Fr Paul Melwyn D’Souza (Vicar Provincial), hails from Basrikatte parish (presently his family is settled in Ashoknagar Parish). After his priesthood, he was sent for the licentiate in Philosophy at Gregorianum – Rome, after which he was a teacher at the Capuchin Philosophy and Theology seminaries in Kengeri – Bengaluru and Bogadi – Mysuru. In the later years, he obtained his Doctorate in Religion and Science – Faculty of Theology from Zurich University, Switzerland. He teaches in different seminaries as a visiting professor. He was appointed as the guardian/superior of St Anne’s friary, Jail Road, Mangaluru. In the recent years, he was popular for his musical dramas and shows like Voparinchi Sanz, Bethlehem Sanz and Hozanna Sanz. He has also composed more than 10 devotional albums in Kannada and Konkani.
Fr Peter Cyprian D’Souza (Second Councillor), hails from Permude parish of Mangaluru diocese. He spent his early priestly life in Dubai, St Mary’s parish as a pastor, counselor and founder of few associations. After returning from Dubai, he was the superior of St Anne’s Friary for some years during which he along with Fr Dolphy Devdas Serrao, founded the Divine Mercy Retreat Centre. Presently he serves as a counselor and a preacher at the Athma Jyothi Ashram located near Kadri Pumpwell/Kadri Rd, Souza lane, Mangaluru.
Fr Robin Victor D’Souza (Third Councillor), comes from the Nakre parish of Udupi diocese. He has a licentiate in Western Philosophy from the University of Lyon, France. He serves as a faculty at Kripalaya the Capuchin Philosophy seminary. During the last term, he was the administrator of the Karnataka Province.
Fr William Prabu (Fourth Councillor), hails from Gadenahalli, Hassan. He did his licentiate in Liturgical studies in Rome after which he was appointed as the director of Post Novitiate Program of the Capuchin order at Pothnal, Raichur.