By Matters India Reporter

BENGALURU, March 28, 2026: The Archbishop of Bangalore has issued clarifications on several debated issues within the local church, including priestly formation, episcopal appointments and the language of worship, stressing that decisions rest with the Holy See and not on regional or cultural considerations.

“As certain issues pertaining to the formation of priests, pastoral leadership and the language of worship are once again sought to be raised, it is necessary to clarify these matters, so that all concerned are rightly informed,” Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore said in a statement.

Archbishop Machado is also President of the Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops’ Conference (KRCBC) that coordinates the Catholic Church’s mission across Karnataka. As one of 14 ecclesiastical regions under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, it unites 14 dioceses—10 Latin Rite, three Syro Malabar and one Syro Malankara—under the pastoral leadership of the Archbishop of Bangalore.

Seminary Formation

Archbishop Machado acknowledged discussions about establishing a regional seminary under KRCBC jurisdiction but emphasized that St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute in Bengaluru remains under Vatican authority.

“Contrary to the mistaken belief in some quarters, the land on which St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute now stands was not exactly a gift, but was purchased by the Paris Foreign Missions Society, when they had decided to shift the Seminary from Puducherry to Bengaluru,” the statement noted. As a Pontifical Institute, “its status, structure and governance are solely within the competence of the Holy See.”

Archbishop Machado also stressed that “the Church never establishes seminaries on the basis of language, caste or ethnicity.”

Appointment of Bishops

On episcopal leadership, Archbishop Machado explained that while linguistic fluency is important, it is not the sole criterion.

“While a Bishop should certainly be fluent in the language spoken by a majority of his flock and preferably conversant with also other languages spoken by the Catholics in his Diocese, the Church does not choose Bishops solely on the basis of language, caste or ethnicity,” the statement said.

Regional bishops may recommend candidates, but “the final decision is entirely in the hands of the Pope.” The regional conference acknowledged calls for more Kannadiga bishops, saying members “will certainly respect the desire expressed that more Kannadigas be recommended for the mission of leadership of dioceses in Karnataka.”

However, the Vatican maintains “a clear and comprehensive profile of a prospective Bishop, and will select only those whom the Holy Father deems to be best fitting that profile.”

Language of Worship

Archbishop Machado also addressed confusion over liturgical language following the Second Vatican Council. “The intention of the Council was that the worshiping congregation should understand the words spoken and the prayers said during the liturgy, so as to ensure the widest possible active participation by the congregation,” the statement explained.

He clarified that “vernacular” refers to the language of the majority of the congregation, not necessarily the official state language. “While the official language of the State should certainly be respected, promoted, learnt and cherished, it may not necessarily be the mother tongue of the majority of the Catholics in a diocese or in a parish,” Archbishop Machado said.

Kannada will be used “without let or hindrance” where it is the language of most worshipers, while Vatican II’s directive to use the congregation’s language will always be respected.

Call for Unity

The president of the KRCBC concluded by urging peace and fraternity amid ongoing debates. “It is hoped that these clarifications will contribute to a better understanding of the issues being debated so that peace prevails and fraternity flourishes in the Local Church,” the statement said.

The clarifications come as questions of identity, language and leadership continue to stir discussion among Karnataka’s Catholic community.