Inter-religious meet condoles the victims of Mangalore plain crash

Report: Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno

Mangalore, 27 May 2010: Huge crowd gathered in the Milagres Church campus on the eve of May 26th, 2010 as to condole the 158 victims of the Mangalore plain crash on behalf of the Diocese of Mangalore.  Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza,  the bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore together with nearly 40 priests and huge crowd celebrated the requiem mass for the repose of the souls of the victims of the plain crash. In the homily he spoke of three possible responses in the times of unforeseen crisis like the plain crash of Mangalore.  Either we would be depressed and totally lost or we would be in a  state of doubt and confusion almost as to question the goodness of God.  As people of faith in god we are invited to be hopeful in and through Christ as He has transcended the death by being  ‘The way, the truth and the life.’ 

The heartfelt homage that followed was attended by people of different religions.  Dr Shanhram Shetty of Sanjeevini presented the verbal tribute.  In his message he added: ‘Whatever may the cause of the crash, but such sad event shouldn’t take anywhere in the world. In spite of that, God has given us a great lesson in the event.  We have shown our unique human concerns after the event without being labeled and differentiated with any type of religion or caste or creed.  We have become one as to help, console and pray for the victims and the relatives.’

Fr Onil D’Souza the director of the NGO Canara Organization for Development and Peace (CODP) responded:  ‘Praying for the victims of the tragedy, helping and consoling the near and dear ones is the ‘Universal Human Religon’. Filling the family members and relatives with self confidence is the real ‘Dharma’.

Mohammed Kunhi a Muslim leader condoled the victims with verbal tributes: ‘In spite of all our human efforts to escape and postpone the reality of death, it is an inescapable reality and a lesson that God is the real controller. No language or words in the world would be sufficient as to give comforts to the near and dear ones of the crash victims. Only faith in God would do that.  2010, May 22nd was a day of unforgettable tragedy and it was also a day of human relationship, a day of light house with lasting lessons for generations.  It has taught the lesson that death has no religion, caste and creed; it is universal. Yet it has awakened the human consciousness within us.  It has called us to improve and correct our lives, relate to each other as brothers and sisters, to live a good and just life in the years to come.’

Bishop Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza in the presidential address noted: ‘When a child is born, the child cries and everyone around it smiles whereas in death one person is calm and serene and dear ones cry.   But in 22/5 when 158 were thrashed in the tragedy everyone who heard of it was saddened and cried. Even the Pope and the papal ambassador in India have sent their condolences to all those affected by the unforgettable tragedy.’

Bishop together with Dr Shantharam Shetty and Moidhin Bava placed the floral wreath on the symbolical grave of 158 victims.  Leaders from different communities and spheres paid the floral tributes. While the Bethany nuns prayed hymnal tributes, the huge crowd gathered, lit candles as a mark of respect for the victims.

Manohar Prasad the news chief of ‘Udayavani’ daily compeer the condolence meet through the narrations of the heart touching moments of 22/5.  Titus Noronha joined hands with him.  Fr William Menezes, the PRO of the Diocese of Mangalore proposed vote of thanks.