Catholic Sabha Members & Christian Leaders to Meet CM & Congress Leaders with their Demands
Mangaluru : At a press meet at Hotel Woodlands, Mangaluru-Rolphie D’Costa, President of Catholic Sabha, Mangalore Pradesh said “ I am really overwhelmed to say that the Catholic Maha Samavesha – 2020, which was held at Sacred Heart Church grounds, Madanthyar recently was a grand success, where we had over 30,000 plus Catholics, who thronged the venue, coming from Mangaluru, Puttur, and Belthangady to take part in the historic Samavesha. The organizing committee is happy to note that the event went on smoothly and as planned. On behalf of the organizing committee and Catholic Sabha I would like to thank everyone for making this Samavesha is success and a memorable one ”
“During the Samavesha, we had passed four important resolutions, where we had demanded an independent ‘Samudaya Bhavana’ with a care center to rehabilitate drug addict youths and bring awareness on drug abuse. We also placed forth another demand to have an independent Christian Development Board and a initial grant of Rs 50 crore for that project, together with a government land for the project. Our next demand is that we have been requesting the State government to declare 8 September as a Holiday, being the Nativity Feast, and since Catholics of coastal Karnataka celebrate it in fervour and joy, celebrating the Birthday of Mother Mary” added D’costa.
Rolphie further said “Many a times 8 September falls during a week day, when most of the working Catholics find it hard to celebrate the Festive lunch with their family and friends, since they get stuck at work with no leave. Therefore, we will make a humble request to the Chief minister this time that 8 September be declared as Holiday in Karnataka. We also demand a ban on online games like PUBG where many Catholic youth are getting addicted to them and ruining their lives. Our fourth demand is that, equal reservation be given to for Christian candidates in all political parties. Looking at the Catholic population, our Community is eligible for candidate tickets to contest in elections, and party leaders should take a note of it”
” We are planning to visit Bengaluru after 22 February, and will meet chief minister B S Yediyurappa and submit him our four main demands. In the meantime we will also meet opposition leader and former CM Siddaramaiah, who has supported us throughout his CM tenure, and will seek his support along with other opposition party members so that our demands are met. On our agenda during our trip to Bengaluru, we are planning to meet Congress leader Dr Parameshwar, and BJP State President-MP Nalin Kumar Kateel” said Rolphie.
While concluding D’costa sincerely thanked the three Bishops- Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha of Mangaluru Diocese, Rev Dr Geevarghese Mar Macarios of Puttur Diocese and Rev Dr Lawrence Mukkzhy of Beltangady diocese and also heads and committee members of various other Catholic organizations, who had strived hard for the success of the ‘Maha Samavesha’. Special mention of gratitude was made of Harish Poonja, Beltangady MLA for his full support, and to volunteers, donors and priests.
Fr Francis-the Spiritual Director, DCCW; Joel Mendonca, convenor of Maha Samavesha; Fr Ronald D’Souza,-the Spiritual Director, ICYM and Leon Saldanha, president ICYM were present on the dais.
