Laity of All Denominations Meet at Bejai Church

Jencil Alva

The Mangalore Christian Council in Collaboration with St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai, Organised a Get-Together of the Laity belonging to various Christian Churches in Mangalore. They came together for prayer and sharing, at Bejai Church Hall, on Saturday, 8th December 2012.

124 lay people belonging to the following Churches participated in the programme:
1.    Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church – Brahmavar Diocese
2.    Syro-Malabar Catholic Church – Belthangady Diocese
3.    Roman Catholic Church – Mangalore Diocese
4.    Church of South India – Karnataka Southern Diocese
5.    FCCO -Federation of Christian Churches and Organisations
6.    Karnataka Mission Network
7.    Brethren Assembly
8.    New Life Fellowship

Rev. Dr Joseph Martis, Rector of St Joseph’s Seminary led the opening prayer. While breaking God’s Word, he asked the gathering to listen to the promptings of the Spirit in giving a united witness.
Dr Derek Lobo (Retd), United Nations WHO Regional Advisor – Leprosy Elimination, in his address pointed out that so far Christian unity has remained at the symbolic level; but now the time has come work together in charity. He called the laity to work together for the protection of Human Rights, creating political awareness and organising various programmes, seminars and activities in common.

De Jacob Chacko, Professor and HOD, Department of Orthopaedics, Fr Muller Medical College, in his reflections reminded the participants to focus on Jesus and never to get distracted. Every Christian irrespective of his affinity to different Churches must be moved by the power of the Holy Spirit and love of Jesus Christ. The criterion to be a follower of Jesus is not any specific denomination but believing and following Jesus the master, he added.
The open forum discussion as well as group discussion gave ample opportunities to the participants to express their views in terms of furthering Christian unity.

Rev. Dr J. B. Saldanha, Rev. Leo Lasrado, Rev. Clifford Fernandes, Mr Augustine Rodrigues, Mr Rohan Shiri. Mrs Asha Maben. Mr Benet Soans and Mr Alfred Manohar coordinated the programme.
Rev. Dr Victor Machado welcomed the gathering and Mr F. M. Lobo, Treasurer of Mangalore Christian Council, thanked the participants and organisers.

The Mangalore Christian Council, which recently celebrated its Golden Jubilee, has been taking keen interest in building up ecumenical bonds. It may be recalled here that it had organised a Clergy Meet on Friday, 30th November 2012. They have planned many more activities to strengthen the bonds of solidarity among Christians in Mangalore so that with renewed vision and spirit, Christian learn to commit to Christ and His love.
We see vital signs of a united fellowship of the followers of Christ in Mangalore which is certainly a gift of the Spirit of God and a blessing to the local community.