Chikmagalur diocese celebrates golden jubilee
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Chikmagalur (EP)
Chikmagalur, Nov 27: NRI entrepreneur and chairman of International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA) Ronald Colaco speaking at a programme here recently said that though Christians are applauded and encouraged for their achievements by political parties, no government has given them due recognition for their service in the form nomination to important posts or awards. The community has lagged behind because of lack of representation in administration, judiciary and politics, he said, urging the community youth to take up these streams as their careers.
Colaco was speaking after inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations of Chikmagalur diocese and the ceremony to mark the conclusion of the Year of Faith at St Joseph's Cathedral premises here.
Colaco lamented that attacks were being carried out on the community and churches giving the excuse of 'conversion', despite the fact that the community has contributed so much to society.
"Christians have actively participated in the service sector. Their contribution to education, health and social sectors is invaluable. They cannot be compared with others with regard to services rendered. The education imparted by the community has enabled progress of science and technology to gigantic proportions," he said.
"National poet Kuvempu himself had said that if Christian missionaries had not engaged in imparting education, he would not have become a national poet. Though people of other communities have grown with the efforts of the missionaries, our own community has lagged behind," he said.
He announced Rs 10 lac as contribution to the education fund for needy children that was inaugurated b him to mark the golden jubilee of the diocese.
District incharge minister K Abhayachandra Jain commended the contribution of the Christian community in the health and education sectors in the country. He expressed his happiness at starting of golden jubilee memorial education fund and wished that Rs five crores may be raised in the fund as proposed.
Oscar Fernandes, union minister of national highways assured that he would work hard for all round development of the region. He expressed happiness that prayers are held in Kannada in the diocese and praised the choir. He sang ‘Mother queen of heaven’ hymn and was applauded by the audience.
Felix Thomas Rosario, convener of golden jubilee committee, said that the education fund was started to help poor children in education.
He said that bishop Dr T Antony Swami has donated Rs 50 lac and various dioceses have donated Rs 50 lac. The diocese aims to collect Rs 5 crore and help poor students who wish to pursue higher studies. A fixed deposit will be opened in the name of those who donate more than Rs one lac and the amount will be used for paying school fees of a student, he said.
Bishop Dr Antony Swamy presided over the programme. Belgaum bishop Dr Peter Machado, Fr Charles Pereira, Chikmagalur diocese vicar general George D’ Souza, Fr Arogya Raj, Blosom Fernandes, MP Jayaprakash Hegde, MLA C T Ravi, Gayatri Shantegowda, zilla panchayat president Rekha Huliappa Gowda participated in the programme.