Media Release

Mangaluru, Mar 26: The ecumenical gathering of different churches of Suratkal vicariate, with the theme ‘United in Christ’ was held on Sunday March 24 at Sacred Heart Church Sabhabavan hall, Surathkal.

Hemachandra Kumar, the Bishop of Church of South India, Mangaluru was the chief guest of the programme. The programme was presided over by Fr Austin Peter Peres, the vicar forane of St Teresa of Kolkata vicariate. Fr Rupesh Madtha, the secretary ecumenism commission, Mangalore diocese, Steven Sarvottama, Unity CSI Church Mulki, Amrithraj Khode, Haleyangady CSI Church, William Kundar Krishnapura CSI Church, Sandya Supritha Panambur CSI Church, Fr Sunil D’Souza, Thokur Catholic Church, Fr Cyril Pinto Mukka Catholic Church, Fr Sylvester D’Costa Mulki Catholic Church, Fr Santhosh Lobo Katipalla Catholic Church, Fr Maxim Pinto SVD Catholic Retreat Centre Mulki, Fr Richard D’Souza Surathkal, Fr Ronald D’Silva SVD, Catholic Retreat Centre Mulki and Rolphy D’Costa secretary, Suratkal deanery pastoral parish were present on the dais.

The programme had two important parts, the ecumenical prayer and praise and worship by members of different churches followed by the study session. The academic inputs were given on three important topics: The need of Christian Unity, its   history and development by Fr Austin Peres, the challenges to Christian unity, personal, within community and from outside by Fr Rupesh Madtha and How to face the challenges with power of the word of God and in the name of Jesus Christ by Rt Rev Hemachandra Kumar, the bishop of CSI Mangaluru.

The input was followed by the discussion and action plan for the future, moderated by Fr Richard D’Souza. In the concluding remarks Fr Richard said, humanity, religiosity, spirituality and Christ centred life are closely connected to Christian unity.

In the presidential remarks Austin appreciated to overwhelming response to the programme and said, “Beginning is always easy but to maintain the momentum is very difficult, but we have to face the challenges and come together in the future. God unites and only Satan divides. Maximise what unites us and minimise what divides, with the promptings of the Holy Spirit.”

Fr Sylvester D’Costa welcomed the gathering and Rolphy D’Costa felicitated the guests with shawls and flowers, Vivid D’Souza compered the programme, Fr Richard D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. The ecumenical gathering concluded with fellowship meal.

The religious sisters of the deanery, members of deanery pastoral parish, ward Gurkars and office bearer’s parish pastoral parish of five Catholic churches of the deanery, members and leaders from CSI Churches were present for the gathering. This was a first gathering of this kind and many suggested to continue the same to build a good rapport between the churches of Suratkal deanery, during the special occasions.