Daijiworld Media Network – Mysore (SP)

Mysore, Jun 11: To reinforce a sense of urgency to their longstanding demand for carving of a separate diocese for the Protestant Christians living in Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Hassan and Chikmagalur districts, the members of Christ Forum have organized ‘Mangalore Chalo’ programme on Saturday June 11. Under the programme, community members gather together in their district headquarters and head to Mangalore to pursue their demand.

In a release, Evan Theja J, secretary of Christ Forum, said that Protestant Christians of Mysore region, who have a history spreading over two centuries, presently are in the jurisdiction of Karnataka Southern Diocese with its headquarters at Mangalore. As the community has grown over the years, and there is a phenomenal increase in the number of institutions, hospitals, old age homes etc being run by the community in Mysore region, the community had been demanding for a separate diocese since long. He added that the Bishop of Mangalore had failed to give his nod for this demand. “Because of non-creation of separate diocese for this region, the condition of the community members and institutions continues to be poor, as there is no efficient administration,” he claimed.

The Protestant Christians of the above five districts have undertaken ‘Mangalore Chalo’ programme today by buses. Christ Forum president, Rev Dr J Charles Devadas, said that the delegation will submit a representation reiterating their demand, to Bishop J S Sadananda at Mangalore.