Puttur: Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Moran Mor Baselior Cleemis, opined that a life guided by altruism in the true spirit of service and love preached by Jesus Christ is the real foundation of a religion.
He was speaking after presiding over a function in which Dr Geevarghese Mar Macarios was coronated as the new Bishop of Puttur diocese and a programme organized thereafter to congratulate the new Bishop on September 30. The m was held at St Mary’s Cathedral church, Noojibalthila.
Terming the occasion as historic, he wished that under the guidance of the new Bishop, this diocese will witness all round progress.
Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore addressing the gathering, noted that the new Bishop hails from the local area and hoped that he will get support and cooperation from everyone in the diocese in realizing the wishes of the God besides spreading the ideals and principles of the religion.
Ivan D’Souza, Chief whip of Karnataka state legislative council, pointed out that in spite of forming only about three percent of Indian population, Christians have made giant strikes in health and education sectors on account of their exemplary service to these fields. He said that it is a matter of pride that the Catholics are serving the people through these and other sectors. “Christians abide by law, conserve land and water of the country, and contributes to the development of the country. In religious terms too it has created an imprint of its own,” he added.
Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos of Tiruvalla, Bishop Lawrence Mukkuzhi of Beltangady, retired Bishop Geeverghese Mar Divannasios of Puttur diocese, Fr Jose Kuruvilla, superior general of Bethany Generalate, Sr Vandana, Ursuline of Mary superior general, P P Verghese, zilla panchayat member and Dr Lovely Eldos, KRCB Women’s Commission regional secretary, also spoke on the occasion.
Senior priest of Orthodox church, Rev Mani Chemmanam Episcopa, taluk panchayat member, Ganesh Kaikure, Noojibalthila gram panchayat president, Sadanand Gowda Santyadka and others were present. Dr Eldo Puttan Kandathil, proto vicar of Shivamogga, honoured the retired Bishop, Daijiworld reported.
Dakshina Kannada district proto vicar, Fr Peter John, welcomed. Chief coordinator of the function, Fr Philip Nellivila, proposed vote of thanks. P K Cherian and Suja Shaji compered the programme.
The Holy Eucharist and discourse preceding the meeting programme were performed by Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bengaluru.