Mangalore: Archbishop Inaugurates Karnataka Region Laity Synod
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Oct 1: A two-day Laity Synod, Karnataka Region Consultation organized by the All India Catholic Union (AICU), in association with Karnataka Regional Laity Commission and Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh was inaugurated on Monday, October 1 at Pastoral Institute, Shanthi Kiran, Bajjodi.
Mass was offered prior to the formal inauguration of the programme. The programme was inaugurated by pouring salt on a globe.
Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, inaugurated along with Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore. Other bishops of Karnataka region, Nigel Pereira, president of Catholic Sabha, Dr Peter Machado, Lancy D’Cunha, national vice-president, AICU and other dignitaries shared the dais. Around 150 delegates from 14 dioceses are participating in the conference.
On both days a few priests and lay scholars will present various papers on the mission of the lay faithful in the Church and society. All the discussion and the deliberations will take place in the light of the teaching of the Vatican II. The conference is to help the lay faithful to evaluate their active participation in the mission of Church and also to gear towards the implementation of the teaching of the Vatican II in the life of the Church.
Speaking after the inauguration, Dr Bernard urged all the bishops and vicars to preach the teachings of Jesus Christ to the people. "God created the universe and its creatures. All the followers of Chirst need to come forward to build the Kingdom of God," he said.
"We need to work according to our responsibilities. There shouldn’t be any misunderstandings between the bishops, vicars and the laity. Many have left the Catholic faith and moved towards other ways, let them carry on. It is our duty to ensure it that it does not happen," he added.
Lancy D’Cunha welcomed, Flavy D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks and Dennis D’Souza compered the programme.
The conference has been organized to celebrate the Year of Faith announced by Pope Benedict XVI, beginning this October through November, 2013, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. To mark the event, conferences of the lay faithful will be organized throughout the country. The Mangalore conference was the second, after Delhi.
On both the days a few priests and Lay Scholars will present various papers on the Mission of the lay faithful in the Church and society. All the discussion and the deliberations will take place in the light of the teaching of the Vatican II. The conference is to help the Lay faithful to evaluate their active participation in the mission of Church and also to gear towards the implementation of the teaching of the Vatican II in the life of the Church.