Bengaluru: Archbishop Bernard Moras surprised his birthday wishers when he sought their support in his efforts to reach education to the poor and downtrodden.
Politicians, top-police officers, bureaucrats, priests, religious, pastors, members of various Catholic organizations, NGO’s and specially-challenged children met the prelate on his birthday on Monday.
The archbishop, while accepting the greetings, said he would be happy only if they joined him to educate the poor and those on the peripheries.
The 74-year-old prelate launched the Jeevan Jyothi (light of life) in February 2014 to provide succor to poor people in dire need of medical assistance. “It is our Christian calling to care for the sick. The need of the hour is to reach out to them,” he told the guests.
Jeeva Jyothi regularly renders help to sick people who are financially backward.
The archbishop thanked donors who contribute for this cause. He also thanked contributors to the ASHA (hope) education trust that funds some 2,000 children for their education every year.
ASHA trust’s coordinator Fr. Patrick Pinto told Matters India that education of the poor is among the archdiocese’s top priorities. “Thankfully, many are supporting the cause for education of the poor in the archdiocese. We look beyond religious background when people approach us, but we also read the commitment and diligence of students intending to pursue their education,” the priest added.
Karnataka Home Minister K J George and legislators N A Harris and Roshan Baig were among the guests who called on Archbishop Moras. Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda made a telecom greeting.