News and Pics From Lionel Pinto
For Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
Mangalore, Sep 15: All parishioners of Kinnigoli deanery, comprising Kinnigoli, Kirem, Balkunje, Kateel, Neerude, Niddodi, Pakshikere and Mulky parishes, gathered at the Immaculate Conception church, Kinnigoli, at 9.00 am on Monday September 15, to condemn the attack on churches and prayer halls all over Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Chikmagalur districts.
An estimated 4,000 people took out a rally from the church to the town bus-stand, shouting slogans against the communal miscreants and the government for its failure in protecting the minorities and their prayer centres. MLA Abhaychandra Jain condemned the attack on churches and said that there was no difference between the Delhi blasts and the violence in and around the city.
He appealed the people to maintain peace and unity. Jain urged the state government to provide adequate protection to minorities and their prayer houses. Fr William Martis, parish priest, St Paul church, Balkunje, said that it is a serious crime committed by some desperate individuals who could not bear the progress of the Catholic community and the service that the community is rendering to society.
They have made conversion the reason for all this, but they should remember that we Christians do not convert the religion of the people; we only strive to make them better citizens of our country, he said. Fr Martis said that if accusations about conversion were true then the Christian population should have increased, but as per latest statistics, the population has decreased by 0.2 percent.
He pleaded with community youth to not block roads which would be a hindrance to others. Fr Alfred Pinto, dean, Kinnigoli deanery, read the memorandum which was presented to deputy tahsildar of Mulky Hobli, when he arrived at the church.
Fr Paul Pinto, parish priest, Our Lady of Miracles, Kirem, welcomed the gathering and explained the objective of the peace rally. Mable D'Souza, secretary,Kinnigoli parish council, proposed the vote of thanks.
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