Report: Vitori Karkala
Pics: Sneha Studio
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (GA)
Karkala, Sep 15: Catholics of Karkala deanery staged a protest condemning attacks on Christian worship places in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Chikamagalur districts on Monday September 15 evening. Protestors who had gathered in large number took a silent protest march from bus stand to taluk office (almost 3 kms) and submitted a memorandum to tahsildar Laxman Singh. The protestors particularly condemned the desecration of Crucifix and Blessed Sacrament at Adoration Monastery near Milagres church in Mangalore Sunday September 14 morning.
The protest organized by lay leaders of Karkala deanery began with the keynote address by Daniel Ranger. Later Ajekar parish priest Fr Valerian Fernandes and well-known community leader George Castelino Nakre addressed the gathering and condemned the incidents that have hurt the Christian community.
MLA Gopal Bhandary addressing the gathering demanded that Christians should be provided with adequate protection and all those who have initiated these heinous acts should be brought to books. He also appreciated the locals Christians for maintaining peace and order despite attacks on them.
Karkala town parish priest Fr John Barboza read the appeal and gave it to the chief minister through the tahsildar. Arrangements were also made to send the same to the President, Prime Minister, union minister Oscar President and senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily.
A number nuns and laity led by lay leaders along with Fr John Barboza, Fr Valerian Fernandes, Attur parish priest Fr Arthur Pereira, Miyar parish priest Fr Ronald Miranda, Fr Paschal Menezes, Parappady parish priest Fr Alex Aranha, Fr Michael D'Silva, Hirgan parish priest Fr Michael Lobo, Kanajar parish priest Fr Alwyn D'Cunha participated in the protest.
The protest was led by Vinup D'Souza, Tony, Joachim Pinto, John D'Silva, Philip Menezes, Leena Menezes, Henry, Alan, Udam Lewis, Winnibold, Matilda Lasrado, Pratishan D'Souza and others.
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