Mangalore: Withdrawal of Cases Against Christians a Victory of Truth - Bishop
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Dec 13: A thanksgiving ceremony was held at the bishop's house here on Tuesday December 13 for those who had played a prominent role in prompting the Karnataka State Cabinet to withdraw the cases against 338 innocent Christian youth in the 2008 church attacks. The decision had been announced on December 1.
It took more than three years and concerted efforts on the part of IFKCA, Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Bernard Moras, bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza and a few other organizations, the laity and the clergy to apprise and request the government to withdraw the cases wrongly filed against the Catholic youth, following the events of the aftermath of the attack on churches in Mangalore and Udupi in 2008.
Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza presiding over the programme said, "It is a victory of truth, as the decision proved that the accused were innocent and did not attack, but only protested against those who had attacked the sacred places of Christian community."
He thanked all the lawyers of the diocese who fought for justice.
Fr Onil D'Souza, director of CODP said, "When there is failure no one comes forward to take responsibility, but when there is success everyone will claim credit. This movement has been a collective effort and it would be wrong to take individual credit."
Fr William Menezes praised the efforts of Ivan D'Souza, M P Noronha, Roy Castelino and others who supported the mission taken up by the diocese of Mangalore. He said that Ivan D’Souza had fought in almost 95 % of the cases and MP Noronha had challenged the Justice Somshekar commission report.
MP Noronha said that there had been pressure to withdraw the cases at national and international levels. It was an honest and collective effort from the people involved. As mentioned in the statement issued by the Cabinet, the withdrwal of cases was done in response to the request from diocesan clergies and International Federation of Christian Association. He also said that Ronald Colaco had also put in lots of efforts in getting the cases withdrawn.
Roy Castelino proposed the vote of thanks and congratulated the youth for fighting for the cause when there was a need.
Advocates Ivan D'Souza and M P Noronha, Fr Onil D’Souza, PRO Fr William Menezes and Roy Castelino were present on the dais.
Denis D’Souza, who was charged in one case, expressed his gratitude to Almighty and all those who had played a key role in the process.