Mangalore: Bishop Dr Aloysius Launches 'Divine Word' TV Channel

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Dec 22: The first Catholic 24 x 7 religious channel 'Divine Word' of Mangalore and Udupi dioceses was inaugurated at a glittering ceremony at Milagres Chuch grounds here on Saturday December 22. Christmas celebrations were held on the occasion.

Inaugurating the channel, Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza lauded the efforts of Stephen Mendes, chairman of Western Institute of Technology in taking the initiative to launch the unique channel.

"The launch of this channel is a good news for all of us. We were looking for a means to promote our religion and now we have this channel to spread the word of god and religious truth to people. It is a good initiative," he said. He also urged people to lend their support to the initiative.

"In today's world mass media has a special role to play. It not only spreads news put also acts as means of tranforming people's lives. Let good news reach all people," he said, lauding the entire team of 'Divine Word' for their efforts, and conveying his Christmas wishes.

Vice-president of the channel's managing committee Devid Frank Fernandes, patrons Elias Sanctis, Sadananda Shetty of Shree Devi Education Trust, Ivan Mendes and Alwyn Walter D'Souza were honoured on the occasion by the bishop.

The channel was launched by Bishop Dr Aloysius D'Souza by letting pigeons into the air, in the presence of Rev John S Sadananda, bishop of CSI and Fr Denis Moras Prabhu, vicar general of Mangalore diocese. Rev John Sadananda blessed the channel.

Prior to the inauguration, Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes said that Christmas is not only for Christians but for all. "Christmas is a festival of love and peace. These days there have been many incidents of immoral activities. We should try to spread love and peace, which I am sure this channel will do," he said, appreciating the efforts put in by the channel's team.

Prior to the stage programme, Divine bass band sang carols while Immaculate Conception Churhc, Kinnigoli staged a play titled 'Peach be with You'.

Blosson Fernandes, Fr Santosh Kamath, Fr Victor Vijay Machado, Denis D'Silva, Walter Nandalike, J R Lobo, Naveen D'Souza, Yogish Bhat, Sadananda Shetty, Abhayachandra Jain, Fr Franklin Monteiro, Jagadish Shetty, Vishwas Kumar Das, Ivan Mendes, Rajesh Mendes, Gregory Mendes, Sunil Mendes, Ashwin Pereira and Anil Lobo were the guests.

Jayaprakash Pinto, Sr Mariette, Fr Joseph Martis, Fr Patrick Rodrigues, Fr Wilson Monteiro, Fr Boniface Pinto, Fr Edwin Correa, Fr John Fernandes, Fr Lawrence Mendonca, Fr John Baptist, Fr Walter D'Souza, Fr William Menezes, Fr Stany Goveas, Fr Ronald D'Souza, Ivan D'Souza among others were present.

Stephen Mendes welcomed the gathering while Florence Mendes compered the programme.