Call for Unity as Mangalore Christian Council Celebrates Golden Jubilee
 
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/NM)
 
Mangalore, Nov 16: The golden jubilee celebrations of Mangalore Christian Council (MCC) were held at the Bishop Jatanna Auditorium of Karnataka Theological College, Balmatta here on Thursday November 15.
 
Fr Ronnie Prabhu, Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops Council public relations office Director addressing the gathering said that people with broad-minded approach pioneered the institution of Mangalore Christian Council 50 years ago. "Many people took great lead in igniting the movement of ecumenism," he said, adding, "Unity is the desire of Jesus Christ."

He also spoke on the younger generation in the community and said, "Christians who believe themselves as god’s chosen people, now seem to be god’s frozen people. Hence at this juncture, there is need for new fire to spread ecumenism among the community and everybody needs to be graduates in the faith on par with academic accomplishments."

"Mangalore Christian Council must educate people in religious faith as the institution has been holding programmes on a regular basis," he added.
 
He called upon the people to overcome differences among various denominations within the community as they are unessential aspects of faiths. He said the focal point should be unity as everybody moves towards truth and Jesus Christ.
 
Dr John S Sadananda, bishop of CSI – KSD addressing the gathering said that people praying unitedly transcends the atmosphere to a different world. "MCC has contributed its share in achieving ecumenism. One should also strive to achieve ‘wider ecumenism’ of uniting with every creature of this world."
 
Addressing the gathering, Fr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore said, "Mangalore Christian Council has enabled strengthening of relationships between the two mainstream churches of the district."

Quoting the words of Neil Armstrong after stepping on the moon, 'That's one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind', the bishop said, "The activities of ecumenical movement has helped to build cordial relationships," he said.

He further added, "50 years ago it was unimaginable for the Protestants and Catholics to come together for spiritual celebrations. It was unthinkable for the Catholic to learn Protestant theologies. Fifty years ago we looked at each other as enemies, however today the relationship has grown to friends and collaborators in spreading God’s Kingdom."

"Let us accept our differences, and respect the principle of ‘unity in diversity’. The differences should not deter us from sharing our views and beliefs to proclaim the word of God”.
 
During the celebration a book titled ‘A Brief History of the Mangalore Christian Council’ was jointly released by rectors of KTC, Balmatta and St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu.
 
Dr Geevargheese Mar Divannasios, Syro-Malankara Church, Dr C L Furtado, CSI – Bishop Emeritus, Yakob Mar Elias (Malankara Orthodox Syrian, Olinda Pereira, MCC pioneer, Dr Joseph Martis, rector, Dr Hannibal Cabral, KTC principal, Dr John Baptist Saldanha, MCC secretary, Sandeep Theophil, MCC secretary among others were present.