HYDERABAD: February 2, 2015. (By Abbas Kassar) The ceremony of fifth Bishop Ordination of Catholic Diocese of Hyderabad was held at St. Bonaventure’s High School Hyderabad about 180 Kilometers away from Karachi – Capital city of Sindh Province, Pakistan on Saturday. In the ceremony, Bishop-Elect Reverend Father Samson Shukardin OFM was ordained and installed as fifth Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Hyderabad. Bishop Samson Shukardin replaced Bishop Emeritus Max John Rodrigues, when latter announced to resign because of attaining age of more than 70 years. The Catholic Diocese of Hyderabad covers all areas of Sindh province of Pakistan with the exception of Karachi – capital city of Sind province and the population of Catholic is nearly 50,000 persons. Outgoing Bishop Emeritus Max John Rodrigues of the Catholic Diocese of Hyderabad was principal consecrator while Bishops Grace Archbishop Joseph Coutts of the Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi and Grace Archbishop Sebastian Francis Shaw OFM of the Catholic Diocese of Lahore were co-consecrators. Thousands persons from all areas of diocese and the nation including bishops, clergy, religious, laity and guests from all faith and walks of life were on hand to witness the Episcopal Ordination Ceremony. Bishop-Elect of the Catholic Diocese of Hyderabad, Samson Shukardin was appointed by Pope Francis on December 16, 2014. In the ceremony, order of appointment of Bishop of Hyderabad was read in Latin, English and Urdu languages which was approved by Pope Francis in Rome. On the occasion, newly ordained Bishop Samson Shukardin said that he looked forward to serving the diocese with vigor and energy. “Severing the poorest of the poor, empowering women and youth and promoting education and inter-faith harmony will be my main focus”, he said adding such services would develop the Pakistan.