Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Oct 1: 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 Saturday 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 of Mangaluru diocese, Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, 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.

Chief whip of Karnataka state legislative council, Ivan D'Souza, 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 of Tiruvalla diocese, Dr Thomas Mar Koorilos, Bishop of Beltangady diocese, Fr Mar Lawrence Mukkuzhi, retired Bishop of Puttur diocese, Dr Geeverghese Mar Divannasios, superior general of Bethany Generalate, Fr Jose Kuruvilla, Ursuline of Mary superior general, Sr Vandana, zilla panchayat member, P P Verghese, and KRCB Women's Commission regional secretary, Dr Lovely Eldos, 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.

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 of Bengaluru diocese, Dr Bernard Moras.