Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Moodbidri, May 27: Demanding the withdrawal of transfer of parish priest Fr Sunil Vegas, the parishioners of Our Lady of Rosary Church Alangar held protest in front of the church on Sunday May 27, after the Mass.

As per the parishioners, Bishop had appointed Fr Sunil Vegas as a parish priest only eight months back. In the appointment letter it was mentioned that it is a full term appointment for the duration of 7 years. But two weeks back after the Sunday Mass, Fr Sunil Vegas himself announced that he had received the transfer order. Shocked parishioners made queries on this unexpected transfer and found some big hands behind this.

Protest on Sunday after Mass

Earlier protest on Saturday 

As per the parishioners, Fr Sunil Vegas, as soon as he took over as parish priest, succeeded in stopping the financial irregularities in the institutions run by the parish council. With the help of audits, he caught some members red-handed, who were involved in administration of school and other institutions. Known as disciplined and impartial priest, he put measures to stop the irregularities in other church associations where these lay leaders were involved.

Angered by this, some people came together and used their connections to transfer the priest. As per diocesan transfer order published in diocese website and not made public to the mainstream media, Fr Sunil Veigas would go to Fajir parish while Fr Walter D’Souza from Shakthinagar Church would come to Alangar Church.

The protesting parishioners also alleged that after the transfer order was received, the representatives from the parish visited the Bishop’s House twice and requested to withdraw the transfer order. But Bishop’s House did not respond properly and failed to give proper reasons behind the transfer.

The protesters also warned that if the Bishop’s House does not withdraw the transfer of Fr Sunil Veigas, they will consider it as injustice on parishioners and will move to higher authorities as per church law.