Interviewed by Wilson & priya Saldanha, for Daijiworld News Network - Kuwait

Welcome to Kuwait on behalf of daijiworld.com. Have you heard about this website?

Yes I have heard a lot about Daijidubai.com (Now daijiworld.com). On my way back from Korea I was surprised to hear people asking me about my visit to Kuwait and other gulf countries. when I asked them how they came to know it was through Daijiworld.com.

Daijiworld.com is doing a wonderful job and it is a main source of information for the Mangaloreans spread all over the globe!  and I request  you to keep up the good work. I am very happy to see the news published in a very short period of time.  You are doing a great job in giving information to our people, sharing their moments and in uniting them. 

Do you use the internet? In the present world the internet has a big contribution in our routine life. This is a fastest media to advertise, pass messages and to get information. We can use it for both good and bad.

Yes I use the internet. In terms of globalization, The world has become a village. In the internet through one click we get to know what is happening in any part of the world so quick and so simple to use. We have to use it. The internet or any medium will in itself have good and bad things. We need to train our children on how to use these media in a better way. In olden days to receive a message from the Pope we had to wait for a month or more whereas now because of the internet we can receive it in one click of the mouse. I heard that the transfer of the priests of the Mangalore diocese was published in Daijiworld.com. I have a very positive attitude towards internet.

The “Monti Fest is highlighted during your visit to Kuwait. Comparing to olden days, the importance of this feast is neglected in Mangalore. Before the families used to get together, eat and share their joy. Now the gathering is reduced and the feast belonged to every house individually. Please comment.

Yes. The family has to be together. Nowadays because of the nuclear family trend, the number of people in the families has reduced and because of this the jealousy has increased. We should not allow this to happen. Why do you think I came to Kuwait? Back home in Mangalore people kept asking me you are leaving your people over here and going to Kuwait for “Monthi Fest”. I informed them that the people of Kuwait are also my people and I care and love for them. This is what I want to convey to my people.

In Qatar one person asked me if I have any relatives in Qatar. I have told him, for a parish priest his family is the parishioners and for a Bishop his diocese. His family members are second priority. He has to sacrifice for his parish. Sometimes even if there is some function at his family and if there is a funeral at his parish then he has to cancel going to the function and attend the funeral first as that is his first priority. That is why I have come here. To show the people here that you are also my people and I care for you.

In Mangalorean parishes, there is competition between priests to improve the parishes by building Churches, parish houses, schools etc. Olden days in parishes 'parish feast' was an occasion every year for a family get together.  All the family members used to join and enjoy this feast.  Now in many parishes this feast is cancelled as the reason behind it is instead of spending, donate that amount for the construction work or the improvement of the church.  Parishioners are requested to donate this amount for the respective cause.  Don’t you think by this we forget those days of family unions?  Don’t you think we need this for our unity?  Now a days family get together is only restricted for christening, communio