Mangalore: Catholic Sabha convention focuses on strengthening community


Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Apr 6: Thousands of people took part in the diocese convention of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh in the premises of St Sebastian Church, Permannur here on Sunday, April 6.

Most of the speakers asked the participants to strengthen the community and activiely participate in politics and join administrative and corporate sectors.

In his inaugural address, Eugene Gonsalves, president of All India Catholic Union (AICU) said, “The huge turnout today is a manifestation of faith. Catholic Sabha, Mangalore is among the top five dioceses in the country."

Speaking about the activities of AICU, he said, "To promote economic, administrative, social and political awareness among the Catholics, AICU was formed as an apex body of the laity. It will complete 100 years of existence soon. It works actively all over the country with an aim to safeguard the interest of the community."

Stressing that more number of Catholics should get into politics, administrative and corporate sectors, he said, "It is these sectors that rule the country. Start your own business. Government has various schemes for minorities. The Catholic Sabha should engage in creating awareness about these issues. There is free coaching available for civil service exams. If there is good representation in all these streams, the Catholic community will flourish."

Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza showered praises on the good work rendered by the Catholic Sabha. He said, “Catholic Sabha is our strength. The huge turnout of more than 4,000 speaks for itself. I thank the organizers for this event. Our representation in politics is very poor. The organization must try to motivate leaders to enter the political arena."

In his keynote address, M P Noronha, convener of Mangalore diocese political awareness committee said, "The huge turnout for this convention is a testimony to the fact that we all are united. But we need to strengthen further. A lot of good has been done to the society through Catholic Sabha. Whenever there was any atrocity against Christians, the organization has brought people together to protest against it."

He said the Catholic Sabha was formed in 1977 when the Thyagi Report favoured the imprisonment of those who were involved in the act of conversion. This resulted in protests, agitations and the enactment of this report was stalled.

"In India, people have bad opinion about conversion and Christians. However, people who criticize it should also be aware that a lot of such conversions take place across the globe. There are hundreds of people who have converted from Chirstianity to other faiths in the western countries, and no one talks about it. The yeoman service of Christian community is sidelined and the tag of conversion is hyped all around.

"We have hundreds of institutions, but have failed to make any influential steps. It is like having flower without fragrance. We should not keep quiet whenever there is any atrocity against us. We have been afraid to fight back. Let us come out of the party culture and work for the community," he said.

"There is a need to bridge the gap between the laity and the clergy. In Dakshina Kannada, Christians enjoy nearly 15% population, but there are only a few leaders in the political stream," MP Noronha added. 

On the occasion, Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza launched ‘Mangalore Christian Minority Women’s Multi-purpose Development Cell’. The cell has been formed with the intention to strengthen and work for the betterment of women.

In addition, Joseph Crasta of Snehalaya Ashram, Talapady and Corrine Rasquina of White Doves were felicitated for their exemplary service towards the downtrodden and the poor. Besides, scholarships were distributed to students to support their education.

Mangalore Lok Sabha candidate from Congress Janardhan Poojary, health minister U T Khadar, MLA and J R Lobo too were part of the convention.  Fr J B Crasta, Fr J B Saldhana, Roy Castelino, president of Konkani Sahthya Academy and John D’Silva were present.

Nigel Pereira, president of Catholic Sabha also spoke. George Ligory D’souza, Albert D’Souza, Joslin D’Souza and officer-bearers of Catholic Sabha shared the dais.

Priot to the stage programme, thousands of people took part in a procession from Thokkottu railway bridge to the church compound. A Eucharistic mass was held as part of the convention.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • FR FELIX MONTEIRO, BADYAR, MANGALORE

    Mon, Apr 07 2014

    Dear Fr J.B. Saldanha, the dynamic parish priest, excellent organizer and guide, congratulations to you and your Permannur local team too who worked hard for the success of the mega convention.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • essell, Mangalore, India

    Mon, Apr 07 2014

    Women only in the background!!!

    DisAgree [7] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cure de Ars, India

    Mon, Apr 07 2014

    The Catholic community in DK is wealthy, educated and God fearing. She needs to involve much more politically, in nation building. Only when Church leadership bishops, priests, nuns and lay are convinced and guide the laity in political matters, she will become a political force and be counted by the national parties. The Catholic Union and The Catholic Sabha if their objective is one and same then at all India level they should come under one name and one democratically elected leadership. All the Catholics must put pressure on this unification. Catholics must demand a branch of such organization in every parish and give them every autonomy. The present leadership must act according to the wishes of the Catholics and the signs of the time. This change is necessary for our recognition, survival and peace. The question is how soon will it come about, how quickly will the present leadership act?.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • jason, mangalore

    Sun, Apr 06 2014

    Function was really good and meaningful. I congratulate Catholic Sabha leaders, especially Nizil Pereira, Ligory Dsouza and others for their organizing capacity. Strong support given by Lord Bishop, Fr. J.B.Crasta, Fr.J.B.Saldanha and other priests and nuns to catholic Sabha programme was one of the reason for good number of participants in the programme. Fantastic, amazing, inspiring and mind blowing powerful speech addressed by M.P.Noronha encouraged the participants. Recognising and honouring persons who had done service to the community, inspired others to do the achievements. Opening cell for empowering women is really a good step taken by catholic Sabha. Catholic Sabha function showed that if we are united we can do lot of things. Long live Catholic Sabha

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • FR FELIX MONTEIRO, BADYAR, MANGALORE

    Sun, Apr 06 2014

    DEAR FR J.B. CRASTA-THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR AND GUIDE FOR CATHOLIC SABHA, MR GEORGE LIGUORY-CONVENOR OF THIS MEGA CONVENTION, MR NIZEL PEREIRA-PRESIDENT OF CATHOLIC SABHA,MR ALBERT D'SOUZA-THE SECRETARY AND MR JOSLIN-LOCAL COVENOR AND ENTIRE CATHOLIC SABHA TEAM, CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE GRAND SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION OF OUR COMMUNITY. IT WAS WELL ORGANIZED AND EFFECTIVE. THANKS TO MR MELWYN NORONHA FOR HIS WONDERFUL AND FIRING SPEECH, WHO IS TAKING KEEN INTEREST AND SPENDING HIS LOTS OF TIME AND ENERGY FOR THE WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY BY HIS AWARENESS TALKS. OUR BISHOP GAVE A BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE. EVERYTHING WAS NICE. "BLUE BAND-BADYAR AND HONNAVR BAND MADE THE CONVENTION LIVELY AND RHYTHMIC. LONG LIVE CATHOLIC SABHA..

    DisAgree [4] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • ivan, U.A.E

    Sun, Apr 06 2014

    God bless them all..

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, CANADA

    Sun, Apr 06 2014

    good to see a big numbers. Please ensure to communicate of the benefits available to catholic like free coaching classes, business minority quota all these benefits should be announced each parish on regular basis so that most of the youth aware of these benefits to them and chances are high in using them. Christians has to join politics for sure and the same token govt jobs is most important. We catholic have great leaders who educates others but our own youth end up going to gulf or some where else without proper support from our leaders. the way you conducted these meeting the same way conduct the meeting for free govt exam seminars, business quota for minorities etc and see the result of youth joing. target the youth to motivate them. I believe priests can make the game change if they realy interested in helping the youth. only saying the mass and sitting in the church is not the game changer but motivating the youth to change as environment changes towards politics, less space towards Christians by society only our priest can motivate our youth who can make a huge difference to society. I believe our priest can make a big difference due to the knowledge they have towards Christians if they to little extra mile rather mass and church won't solve the current issue to help the catholic youth. North America we hardly see any help from priests towards Christians but that way India is great help from our priests.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • RTN MICHAEL MATHIAS SHIRVA ROTARY, PILAR SHIRVA

    Sun, Apr 06 2014

    well done catholic sabha .wish u all the best.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse


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