Diocesan News

Press Conference

Photos: Stanly Bantwal

A press conference regarding "Catholic Maha Samavesha - 2020" which is scheduled to be held on Sunday, February 2 in the premises of Sacred Heart Church, Madanthyar, was organized in the city on January 22, 2020.

Addressing the media, Paul Rolphy D’Costa, president, Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh, said , "We , the catholic population of about 2.5 to 3lakhs in Dakshina Kannada district,have been serving the society in the best possible way without any discrimination of caste, creed and religion. Our community serves in various fields such as Health, Education,Social, politics and agriculture etc. We are serving the people of the society whole-heartedly without making any difference".

Nowadays it is disheartening to see our youths subjecting to mental stress, depression, loneliness and addiction to drugs and also getting into anti-social activities etc. Apart from this it is observed that they are deprived of Government fecilities, job opportunities, and lost interest in educational fields too. Often it is seen that the youths are wasting the time in harmful mobile games like PUBG. It is another mania. With this they lose family bonds. Thus the relationships deteriorates with parents , with siblings and with the society which is disheartening. Hence it is very important to create awareness among our youths and provide them a better environment to secure a bright future so that they don’t get into this kind of social evils. It is the need of the hour to ban such games by the Government.

Our contribution towards the political ,social and nation building is boundless. Apart from health, education and social fields many people have rendered their services in political field. Our society has produced quite a number of local ,state and national leaders. We are 1.3% in the Karnataka state and 2.8% of the population of our country. In recent times we are not getting the legitimate political representation to our society. Through ‘ Catholic Maha samavesh-2020 ’ we urge the government to grant our legitimate representation in Local, State and National organizations.

WE urge the government to establish a Christian Development Authority and reserve a grant of Rs. 500 crores for the betterment of our community.

In the coastal Karnataka ,September 8thThe Nativity of Mother Mary is considered as a Harvest Festival and also ‘ Family Festival’ in the region for the catholic mass. In view of this, we urge the Government to declare September 8th a Government Holiday.

For the above reasons ,in the leadership of ‘Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®’in collaboration with the ‘INDIAN CHRISTIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT’ and district catholic women’s organization “D.C.C.W.’ Mangalore,Belthangady and Puttur diocese,’Catholic Maha Samavesha-2020’will be held on Sunday the 2nd February at the Sacred Heart Church grounds of Madanthyar .It is expected a gathering about 30,000 members to be present to show our unity and solidarity.

Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha ,The Bishop of Mangalore Diocese will deliver the Inaugural Address, and declare open the Samavesh procession at Madanthyar city circle at 9.00a.m.

Most. Rev.Dr. GeeVergeese Mar Makarios the bishop of Puttur Catholic Diocese will Bless the occasion.

Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Mukkuyii the bishop of Belthangady Catholic Diocese will deliver the directive speech.

The main speakers will be Mr. Ronald Colaco,Catholic Leader and NRI businessman ,Mr. Ronald Fernandes, Member of Public service Commission Karnataka, Dr.Harsha,. I.P.S. Police Comissioner,Mangalore city and Mrs Lydia Lobo will participate.

Bishops of the three Doceses,Priests, Religios nuns,community Leaders,Presidents , office beares, Parish Council Vice Presidents, secretaries and parish council members,Presidents ,secretaries and members of different Catholic organizations and the parishioners will be witnessing this historic event.In this event All the vice presidents and the secretaries of all the 124 Parishes will be honoured.

Catholic Samavesh Committee in collaboration with Link De - Addiction and Counselling Centre plan to provide life - skill programmes to the youth and people of all age groups. Its purpose is stress. Today there is no Family without stress and loneliness. Many of the people do not know what to do? Where to go? A good percentage about 60% is subjected to one or the other type of stress. Our purpose is to train and help to bring them to the main stream of the society.

The Members who are present for this press conference are:

1. Mr.Paul Rolphy Dcosta, President, catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh®
2. Mr. Joel Mendonca, Convener, Catholic Maha Samavesha Committee
3. Rev.Binoy Joseph, Director, Latiy Commission Belthangady
4. V.Rev.Mathew Vas, Spiritual Director, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh®
5. Rev.Ronald Dsouza, Director, I.C.Y.M., Mangalore Diocese
6. Rev. Francis Dsouza, Spiritual Director, D.C.C.W., Mangalore Diocese
7. Mr.Walter Monis, General Secretary, Catholic Maha Samavesha Committee
8. Rev. Stany pinto, Assistant Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Church Madanthyar
9. Mrs.Terry Pais, President, D.C.C.W., Mangalore Diocese
10. Mr.Leon Saldanha, President, I.C.Y.M., Mangalore Diocese
11. Mr. Lancy Dcunha, Ex President, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®
12. Mr. Naveen Braggs, General Secretary, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®
13. Mr.Francis V.V. Joint Convener, Samavesha Committee
14. Rev.Cibi Thomas Director, S.M.Y.M. Belthangady Diocese
15. Ms. Veena Vas, General Secretary, I.C.Y.M., Mangalore Diocese
16. Mr.Joachim Dsouza, Treasurer, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®
17. Mr. Nigel Pereira, Ex President, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®
18. Mr. Peter Jerry Rodrigues, Ex President, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®
19. Mr.Victor Correa, Designated President,Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®
20. Mr.Ajay Pais, Joint Secretary, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®
21. Catholic Sabha, D.C.C.W., I.C.Y.M., Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®
22. Mr. Leo Rodrigues, Vice President, Sacred Heart Church Madanthyar
23. Mr.Harry Rego, Vice President, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh ®
24. Mr.Ivan Sequeira, Secretary, Catholic Sabha Belthangady Varado