’Proclamation of St. Lawrence Basilica a Great Historic Event’ - Bishop Gerald Lobo

By Eugene DSouza
Pics By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 15 Jul 2016: “Proclamation and dedication of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica at Attur-Karkala on 01 August 2016 is a great historical event and I invite all of you to witness the same,” said Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese addressing the journalists and media persons in a Press Conference that was held in the Bishops House on Friday, 15 July 2016 at 12 noon. He further said that St. Lawrence Church at Attur-Karkala in the Diocese of Udupi has been a shrine of blessings and favours to all devotees, irrespective of caste and creed. His Holiness Pope Francis has elevated this shrine into a ‘Minor Basilica’ through a decree on 26 April 2016. With this unique and singular privilege, Udupi in the coastal Karnataka has been in international limelight.

 

Appreciating the contribution of the journalists and media persons to Udupi Diocese, the Bishop said that since the inception of the Diocese of Udupi, the media has been very supportive and has been instrumental in giving wide publicity to various activities of the diocese.

 

 

Besides Bishop Gerald Lobo, Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes, the Vicar General, Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza-Convener of Committee for Dedication of the Shrine, Rev. Fr. George D’Souza-Rector of St. Lawrence Shrine, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa-PRO of Udupi Diocese and Mr. Michael Rodrigues-Convener of  Christian Media Friends were on the dais.

 

Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes explained the meaning, status, importance and privileges of the Basilica in the Catholic World. Bishop Gerald Lobo, Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa answere some of the queries raised by the journalists and media persons.

 

Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa who compeered the programme said that the proclamation and dedication of St. Lawrence Shrine as a Minor Basilica will take place on 01 August 2016 at 10 am. This historic event will declare the Shrine as a sanctuary of blessings, favours, reconciliation, peace, and communal harmony. Four Cardinals of India, many Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Religious men and women and people from the dioceses of Udupi, Mangalore and neighbouring dioceses  will participate in the mega event. The Holy Mass will begin at 10 am.

 

The public function scheduled to begin at 11.45 am will be attended by Mr. Pramod Madhvaraj-Minister for Fisheries, Sports and Youth Empowerment and Udupi District in-Charge, Mr. Ramanath Rai-Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology, Mr. Sunil Kumar-MLA, Karkala, Ms. Shobha Karandlaje, MP, Mr. Oscar fernandes,MP, Mr. Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLA Kaup, Mr. J.R. Lobo, MLA Mangalore South, Mr. Ivan D’Souza, MLC and Mr. Gopala Bhandary, ex-MLA.

 

The public function will be followed by lunch. Around ten thousand people are expected  to participate in the mega event.

 

Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza thanked all the journalists and media persons for attending the Press Conference on the Proclamation and Dedication of St. Lawrence Minor Basilica and appealed them to be present at Attur-Karkala to witness and cover in their respective papers and electronic media the historic event.