Renovated office Blessed by Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore
Mangaluru: In a significant move to strengthen mental health support within the community, the Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, blessed the renovated Shanthi Kiran Counselling Centre on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The ceremony was held at the Shanthi Kiran Pastoral Centre in Bajjodi, Mangaluru.
The Shanthi Kiran Counselling Centre operates with a clear vision to promote the holistic personal integration of individuals, ensuring their adaptability to their environment. Its mission remains steadfast in providing services across all aspects of emotional and mental illnesses, without discrimination of caste, creed, or political affiliation.
Addressing the gathering, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha emphasized the vital role of counselling in the Church’s mission. “Healing the woundedness of every soul through professional counselling is a very important ministry. Our goal is to accompany and provide direction to those seeking guidance, ensuring the well-being of those who are suffering,” the Bishop stated. He further highlighted the importance of training teachers and leaders in this field and focusing on de-addiction services.
The Bishop commended the Director, Rev. Fr Arun Lobo, for his proactive initiatives and the successful completion of the renovation. He also expressed his gratitude to the donors and well-wishers whose support made the upgrade possible.
Rev. Fr Arun Lobo, Director of Shanthi Kiran, provided an overview of the centre’s 18-year journey. He noted that the centre was established with the objective of facilitating awareness of an individual’s growth potential and emotional pain, while assisting families in improving relationships. “Our services become truly effective only when they reach the ordinary person,” Fr Lobo remarked.
The centre offers a wide range of professional services, including:
- Individual and Couple Counseling
- Family Therapy and Personality Enhancement Programmes
- Psycho-Spiritual and Psycho-Educational Programmes
- Career/Vocational Counseling and Aptitude Tests
- Psychological First Aid Workshops and Rehabilitation
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Very Rev. Fr Santhosh Rodrigues Director, Pastoral Centre, Very Rev. Fr James D’Souza Vicar Forane, City Deanery, Very Rev. Fr Praveen Leo Lasrado Secretary, CBE, Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes Director, CCC, Fr Sunil George D’Souza Director, SCC, Fr Alwyn Richard D’Souza Director, Family Life Service Centre, and Fr Rohith D’Costa Director, Mangala Jyothi.