Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady
With Inputs frm Media Release
Beltangady, Aug 14: Following the protests over anonymous letters demeaning priests of Madanthyar church, and the subsequent clarification from Christa Samanvaya Samiti that it had nothing to do with them, the parish pastoral council of Sacred Heart Church, Madanthyar has issued a press release countering the Samiti's statements.
The release says that statements by 'Christha Samanvaya Samiti’ published in the media are "far from truth, baseless and misleading. It is a clever ploy to attract sympathy of the innocent people by making false propaganda through the media. They want to justify their anti-church and anti-faith writings and anonymous letters by garnering the support of innocent people."
The release further states, "We hereby declare that the agitation held on August 3 under the leadership of the parish pastoral council has nothing to do with the report the ‘Samiti’ published. There is not an iota of truth in it. There has been a continuous flow of anonymous letters for the past 15 years. They are written in a filthy and foul language in order to do character assassination of the parish priests of Madanthyar church, nuns, parish council members, various church associations and their office-bearers, heads of institutions and students. The ulterior motive of these writings is to tarnish the image of the parish and its educational institutions and other parish associations, and not even the Mangalore bishop has been spared. Filthy and foul writings against the bishop, priests, nuns, church organizations and others has a dubious purpose of dividing the innocent parishioners."
Alleging that vice-president of Samanvaya Samiti Jerald Correa had addressed the parish priest in an 'abusive' and 'threatening' way and that there were phone recordings to prove this claim, the release stated, "All the contents of the phone record are similar to the contents of the anonymous letters and therefore a complaint was lodged with the police.
"Besides, ‘Samanvaya Samiti‘ is publishing a tri-monthly Konkani periodical called ‘Samanvaya’ and John D'Souza alias Joe Prabhu, the CEO of ‘Samanvaya co-operative society’ is its editor. Keeping the church activities as a source, the ‘Samanvaya’ periodical has ridiculed and insulted the priests, ICYM, women’s associations, altar boys and girls, choir group, Marian Sodality and so on. It has made a mockery of the Way of the Cross, seven steps of Small Christian Community and the rites and rituals of church feasts and celebrations," the pastoral parish council alleged.
Calling for a ban on 'Samanvaya' periodical, the release stated, "All the believers in one voice should condemn the periodical and its editor for anti-church and anti-faith writings. In this regard again a complaint has been lodged with the police."
It further added, "'Samanvaya Samiti' has received all kind of support from the parishioners for its social activities. Most of them have deposits, shares and do transactions in the co-operative society of the Samiti. All the 650 families of the parish are participating in the resistance in an unprecedented way. We salute their commitment to the church and to their faith."
"After obtaining the signatures of all the parishioners, the parish pastoral council resolved to agitate against this scourge in a magnificent manner. During the agitation on August 3 Joel Mendonca (member of parish pastoral council) made the preliminary speech. Gregory Sera, (vice-president of PPC) addressed the parishioners and Ronald Sequiera (secretary of PPC ) was present. Vivek Pais (member of parish pastoral council) presented a memorandum on behalf of the parishioners demanding justice. In this regard the decision of the parish council is precise and unequivocal," the release stated.
"We have no personal issues here neither any politics. Our fight is against injustice and blasphemy. We have no mind to question the progress and administration of the ‘Samanvya Co-operative Society.’ The parishioners are deeply hurt, they are pained and we share their pain and are committed to their decision. The two persons (Jerald Corea and John D'Souza alias Joe Prabhu) whom we condemn are still underground and this is condemnable, shameful and disgusting. Let them come for swearing as well as for legal enquiry. This is our honest demand and the parish council is firm on that. Our fight is within the parameters of law. We have the blessings of Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas in this resistance and he has no other role. The Lord is with us in our fight against sinister forces," the release added.