Chikmagalur: Pro-Konkani association seethes over decision on Kannada liturgy

Sun, Jun 02 2013 05:45:52 PM

Chikmagalur: Pro-Konkani association seethes over decision on Kannada liturgy

Daijiworld Media Network – Chikmagalur (NM)

Chikmagalur, Jun 2: The diocesan decision to follow Kannada in all the liturgical services including Eucharistic mass has infuriated several Konkani speaking community residing in the diocese of Chikmagalur. It has been one of the significant issues persisting in the diocese over the years with a number of associations mushrooming within the religion.

Subsequently, Catholic Konkan Rakaan Sanchalan was formed to fight for liturgical services in Konkani. Lawrence D'Souza, an ardent supporter of Konkani movement says, “Of the 41 churches under the diocese, nine churches celebrate mass at least once a week in Konkani. However, the present Bishop Fr Anthony Swami has ordered all the churches to celebrate mass only in Kannada, thereby sidelining Konkani."

Talking to this correspodent over the phone, Lawrence added, “There are 55 priests in the diocese. Among them, 42 are Konkani speaking, while 9 Kannada and 4 Tamil. Besides. About 65% of the population in the Catholic community speaks Konkani, while 18% speaks Tamil and 17% Kannada."

Lawrence clarified, “We do not oppose liturgical services in Kannada. Our demand is that the diocesan authority should allow at least one mass and catechism classes in Konkani."

President of Catholic Konkan Rakaan Sanchalan, Pramod Pinto said, “We do not know the prayers in Kannada. We need Konkani masses and our kids should be taught catechism in Konkani."

Presently, there are nine parishes that have at least one mass in Konkani. They are Mudigere, Basrikatte, Magundy, Balehonnur, Kadabagere, Malandoor, Koove, Sakleshpur and Santhekatte.

"The issue turned worse when Konkani mass in the Koove parish was stopped under pressure from diocesan authorities. Earlier, the former Archbishop Alphonse Mathias and former Bishop J B Sequeira steadfastly opposed Konkani liturgical service. Fr Anthony followed the suit," Lawrence said.

"Based on this development, we have sent an appeal to Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras. However, we have not received any reply," he added.

"The souvenir ‘Suvarna Sanchike’ was released on the silver jubilee of Chikmagalur diocese in the month of April this year. One of the articles (page: 52) in the book severely criticized Konkani. We will also stage a protest condemning the Bishop for publishing such articles," said Pramod Pinto, adding, "Our bishop should take all the language speaking community together instead of favoring only Kannada just because it is his mother tongue."

"Moreover, private masses including funeral should be allowed in Konkani. If we are denied the privieldge of attending Konkani masses, we will fight in the court until justice is done to us," Lawrence added.

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Comment on this article

Praveen Veigas, Hassan
Wed, Jun 12 2013
I am wondering what made to these diocesan authorities to hate Konkani language.they preaches great things in the cermon and practices nothing.they have been dominating us who fight for this cause.In The souvenir ‘Suvarna Sanchike’ One of the articles (page: 52) in the book severely criticized Konkani. It hurted us a lot. unnecessarily it has been highlighted in the article that kannada is official language and konkani and tamil are co languages. there are more sentences which clearly indicates that The diocesan authorities dominatong konkani people in the diocese. We the konkani speaking people in hassan district support and participate the action taken fron the CKRS

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vincent miranda, bangalore
Mon, Jun 10 2013
Charity should begin @ home.When you insist Kannada on majority konkani worshippers, lead them by example by learning Konkani yourself and celebrating Mass for a change Hon Bishop Antonyswamy?Well done Lorsaab and Pramod.

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Wilson Monteiro, Bankal /Chikmagalur
Wed, Jun 05 2013
First of all Thank you Konkan Rankann Sanchalan for raising this most sensitive and need of the hour issue on a whole where Bishops of chikmagalur are against sunday Konkani mass.My Bankal parish has not seen a konkani mass for almost two decades now,,,as the church heads have completely vanished konkani from bankal church.just because of two or three kannada/tamil speaking community and many of konkani speaking families have fled from this parish.....!We parishioneers of bankal church hereby request capuchin priest head to start sunday mass in konkani at least there by getting back the reputation of this glorious church.

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Henry J. pinto, Karkala/Bangalore/USA
Tue, Jun 04 2013
You may contact Federation of Konkani Catholic associations, Bangalore. They have already given memorandum to the Papal delegates who came to Bangalore. Pl contact them for more information. every linguistic community has the right to pray and have religious services in their own mother tongue. Earlier Bishops might have made some mistakes but the present Bishop can undo the mistake and serve the needs of the people of his diocese.

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Melwyn Pinto, Chikmaglur / Bengaluru
Tue, Jun 04 2013
Wake up CKRS and just get in touch with Irene McNeilly. She has given valuable 'internal information' on how to proceed legally. However, since 'Bisi madidhare matra Benne Karaghod' you have to take up two way approach. The first approach is legal as per Irene's proposal and the second one is keep up the pressure locally and protest with banners after every Sunday mass. Let them call the police and wash their linen in public - you will have more publicity for the cause. Fellow Konkani Chikmaglureans please wake up and comment on this article please !! CKRS need your support to achieve their goal.
JAI KONKANI !

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Irene McNeilly, Mangalore/Canada
Mon, Jun 03 2013
Bp Anthony Swami is abusing his authority. Chikmagalur is 65% Konkai and only 17% Kannada. Rome appointed this Bishop and Rome can remove him. It is totally useless to appeal to Archbp Moras. Go stright to Rome, immediately! Write to the Congregation of Bishops. Write to the Congregation for Sacraments and Divine Worship and write especially to Cardinal Burke at the Signatura. Only that way will you get the necessary action to change either this Bishop's direction, or better still change that Bishop!
People must write, from every Konkani Parish. Collect signatures from every parish and forward them to the above-mentioned Congregations in Rome. Do not flag. Keep the pressure up. It is what makes Rome move! Here in Canada in this tiny western diocese we had to do the same thing regarding the French/English issue. We wrote to Rome, as indicated above, and we now have a good Bishop of whom I am so proud and we have peace and sanity now in our diocese. If a single woman like I can do this here, then so can you there in Chikmagalur.
Irene McNeilly: Lady Commander of Magisterial Grace.

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Melwyn Pinto, Chikmaglur / Bengaluru
Mon, Jun 03 2013
Mr.lawrence (Lorsab): Hats off to you for leading CKRS. However, its a pity to see except Nisha no one from Chikmaglur has commented on the article. You need to increase the awareness among Konkani speaking people and stage protests after every Sunday mass. You must go with a group and meet the ArchBishop jsut writing is of no use. Rev.Anothony Swami must act before its too late. Its Konkani speaking people who worked hard for the diocese and its their basic right to ask for one Sunday mass in Konkani. The Bishop is NOT the owner of the church he must act as a good shepherd before the sheep get scattered and divisions may occur. Lorsab ALL THE BEST keep Walking and I am sure CKRS voices will be heard. Dev Boren Korum.

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Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India
Mon, Jun 03 2013
If not mistaken Bishop of Chickmagnalore Bishop Fr Anthony Swami exposure is very limited and is like frog in the well when he had taken this linguistic decision.
He should have consulted other diocese bishop specially Metro like Bombay, Vasai how to handle this type of situations, as those diocese have all linguistic people.

Even in the Gulf, the main language in the catholic church is English and equal importance is given to Arabic where as Arabic service is held in the same church but on different timing. It is all well planned system in the middle East. Also other language services are also given due importance like Hindi, Konkani, Malyalam, Tamil, Taglog etc.

Request the Bishop Fr Anthony Swami to open his eyes and try to sort out the issues but not to create division. As mentioned earlier, Konkani speaking congregation do speak Kannada but abrupt, dictator type decision is always harmful. History repeats, Centuries back too Christians have protested against religious leaders when things go against them. It is the congregation & their ancestors have given land to the churches and with their savings, hard earned money they have built the church. Religious leaders are JUST spiritual advisors and their duties is to lead the congregation to grow spiritually.

Hope wisdom will prevail and Bishop Fr Anthony Swami will revoke his decision, so that all the congregation feelings will be respected.

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N.M, Mangalore
Mon, Jun 03 2013
In a democratic country like India NO PERSON or ORGANIZATION has the right to force a language down someone's throat. Bishop Antony Samy appears to be Parochial. Its a pity that a holy man is resorting to such gimmicks just to settle scores with Konkani speaking majority in Chikmaglur.

The Bishop fails to realize that sidelining majority of the people will only divide the Catholic people and give rise to further conflicts. WIsh he was wise enough to solve this issue amicably instead of being a hardliner. POOR THINKING!!!

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f.l.fernandis., Detroit/bangalore
Mon, Jun 03 2013
As there are 41 churches under the diocese 42 konkani priests out of 55 and 9 churches were celebrating the mass konkani once in a week.However the present Bishop has ordered all the churches to celebrate the mass in kannada.The present Bishop should have solved the problem amicably.
About 65% percent are konkani speaking people and it their birth right to hear the mass in konkani.We belong to democratic country.Better solve the problem wisely.Because christians are peace loving.people.

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Francis lobo, Bejai/Mangalore
Sun, Jun 02 2013
This issue of Konkani, Kannada, Tamil,Malayalam will be never ending and will surely divide the catholic community.If Malyallee have their own diocese in Belthangady,,Bhadravati or Puttur and separate bishops for Syro Malabar, Malankara etc .etc why not a separate Konkani diocese in whole of Karnataka. The Bishop will have jurisdiction over Konkani people of the whole Karnataka with its centre at Mangalore or somewhere else. Similarly the Kannada bishop can have Kannada speaking people of Mangalore under his jurisdiction. This will clearly separate the language problem.This divide between the Kannada and Konkani is a beginning as the Archbishop post at Bangalore will fall vacant in few months or years

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Vivek, Udupi
Sun, Jun 02 2013
Konkani is one of the official languages of India. If one community speaks, fosters and develops that language in India, provision should be made to offer services in that language to the masses concerned.

Jelousy has no cure

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gabriel, Sagar
Sun, Jun 02 2013
There is nothing wrong to have two-language formula for divine worship in a diocese. In every diocese there are faithful belonging to different languages. Bishop cannot suppress the local languages of the people. He must champion the cause of his faithful.

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Nisha DSouza, Ckm/B'lore
Sun, Jun 02 2013
It is very sad to see that the faithful have to fight for the Mass in their mother-tongue, a place where majority are Konkani speaking. Had the previous Bishops (mangalorean !) taken the initiative of having atleast one mass in Konkani on Sunday, things would have been different.Before the formation of Chikmagalur diocese, there were hymns sung in Latin, Konkani, English although the masses were said in Latin.Later when the liturgy in kannada was started(II Vatican council policy of local language) ,inspite of the requests of the laiety to have Konkani mass and catechism, their plea was not considered for reasons best known to the diocesan leaders. We hope better sense will prevail now and the matter sorted out amicably.

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vashal, Mangalore
Sun, Jun 02 2013
It depends on the majority of the community.On that basis daily mass should said.But on Sunday off course on both the languages need to have.Please do not fight but take wise discion.

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Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai
Sun, Jun 02 2013
Language is communication medium and for all practical purposes usage medium should be in proportion to percentage of people of the language!

If Konkani speaking people are more, certainly their legitimate demand should be implemented.

Democratic system functions that way, or else it is authoritarian style!
Again, why so much emphasis on language? why not on preaching the
Scripture?
Preaching is not promotion of language, it is promotion of faith!
Divisive & confusing satanic forces are making inroads in people of little faith!
We need unifying forces! Whoever preaching in my name is mine!

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alwyn d,souza, balehonnur/mangalore
Sun, Jun 02 2013
All these years this issue is pending and its not settled now the time has come to fight for our rights(our mother tongue)i here by request all the effected churhes to join hands with chickmaglore konkan rakan sanchalan and shoe our unity to the hon bishop Anyony swamy and if the priest starts amss in kannada answer in konkani(only for konkani mass) Mai bashese kateir ami sokkad sangatha melayam ani konkani bass amcha muklya pilge kater konkani baas jivi uronk pude soryam jive urom konkani bass ani konkani mees

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Adith, Dubai
Sun, Jun 02 2013
It is indeed very sad that a diocese erected by the Konkani community in Chikmagalur does not have the previlidge to have services in a rich dialect konkani. Konkani is not just a language but has a culture and history with respect to Catholics in Malnad and South Canara.

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John Tauro, M'lore / Kwt
Sun, Jun 02 2013
When masses are said in Kannada and Tamil, why not in Konkani? Why the church leaders, who claim to be enlightened among the faithful, do not recognise the fact that Konkani is one the languages of the state?

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juliet mascarenhas, bejai mangalore
Sun, Jun 02 2013
What was the necessity of translating liturgy into several languages.When it is done so what is the problem with Bishop Anthony Swami to allow people to celebrate mass in konkani where there are 42 konkani speaking priest out of 55 and 65% of the C. community speaks konkani. Is it because he finds it difficult to learn konkani.The Bishop should try to bring the community under one fold and not divide the community in the name of language.Why go to the court. Instead make the liturgy in Latin as it was done prior to the translations.

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Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India
Sun, Jun 02 2013
Almost all konkani speaking catholics speak Kannada but Kannada speaking catholics cannot or do not make effort to speak konkani.

In the best interest, Konkani speaking congregation should have meeting with the Bishop and come to an amicable solution, taking into larger interest of the congregation.

I have attended mass in Koppa parish, Chikmangalore district, few years back. It was in Kannada and majority of the people were Konkani speaking including the parish priest.

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rajesh, mulki
Sun, Jun 02 2013
Denying services in ones mother toungue is violation of human rights.This is forcing someone to learn and practice against their will especially when there are good number of konkani catholics in that area who are living there since ages.The right to offer konkani masses along with kannada must be given immediately.and if there are english or other speakers who can not understand local languages then there must be provision for them too if there are enough resources..

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Gilber saldanha, mangalore
Sun, Jun 02 2013
It is a welcome move by Mr.Lawrence and all konkani speaking people support this cause, even from mangalore.Kannadigaas have always opposed other language mass.They have problem with Konkani Bishops,priest and people.The reason is kannada priest, they for the sake of power influence people to speak against others.There is perenial fight between kannada and tamil priests in Bangalore, that is now focused towards konkani.First of all chikmangalore has over 90% konkani speaking families and secondly its the present bishop who is pro kannada.This fight against kannada priest,bishops and corrupt leaders should continue until Konkani gets its due.The persent Arch Bishop should allow this move in chikmanglaore.

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Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru
Sun, Jun 02 2013
But I thought their language is English ?? They raise their shirt collar & says 'we brought english to India'. It looks ridiculous that they are demanding konkani masses. Confused people :-) People should have some clarity of mind..

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Rohan, mangalore
Sun, Jun 02 2013
@Dinesh Poojary: it looks like you are confused, you speak without proper knowledge. please be wise before talking anything, you look educated but knowledgeless about your country and its culture. and yes you speak english as well,that doesnt mean your mother tongue is english??!! you are a confused mr dinesh poojary..

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Jude, Mangalore Dubai
Mon, Jun 03 2013
Dinesh Poojary, this comment of your's exposes your real sick and degenerated mind. You claim that you are a BJP supporter and this is exactly why a majority of Indians shun your party because all of them hold views similar to yours and we all know that these views are of very sick minds. The views that look upon Indians as foreigners, enemies or aliens simply because they happen to follow a different faith.

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RAJESH, MULKI
Mon, Jun 03 2013
Mr Dinesh i think you are deeply in a state of confusion.THEY (you know who )speak and teach any language depending on their state or area .THEY have never told they brought english here but THEY have contributed largely in the field of education ,be it in english or in other languages. THEY and most of THEM had a chance to learn English through THEIR Holy Books which were in english to start with . So majority of THEM naturally have a better command over ENGLISH.

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Ajay, USA/Mangalore
Tue, Jun 04 2013
After all this time of masquerading as a objective critic, you have finally shown your true colors as a bigot.

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Raju, Sharjah
Tue, Jun 04 2013
Poojarey, they brought English and modernised our country so stand ahead of China, Pakistan, Philippines. Yet, they also published the maiden English to Kannada Dictionary. Your filthy state of mind can never understand good things about them because you are blindfolded with fascism. Get well soon.

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Chikmagalur: Pro-Konkani association seethes over decision on Kannada liturgy

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Comment on this article

Praveen Veigas, Hassan

vincent miranda, bangalore

Wilson Monteiro, Bankal /Chikmagalur

Henry J. pinto, Karkala/Bangalore/USA

Melwyn Pinto, Chikmaglur / Bengaluru

Irene McNeilly, Mangalore/Canada

Melwyn Pinto, Chikmaglur / Bengaluru

Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India

N.M, Mangalore

f.l.fernandis., Detroit/bangalore

Francis lobo, Bejai/Mangalore

Vivek, Udupi

gabriel, Sagar

Nisha DSouza, Ckm/B'lore

vashal, Mangalore

Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai

alwyn d,souza, balehonnur/mangalore

Adith, Dubai

John Tauro, M'lore / Kwt

juliet mascarenhas, bejai mangalore

Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India

rajesh, mulki

Gilber saldanha, mangalore

Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru

Rohan, mangalore

Jude, Mangalore Dubai

RAJESH, MULKI

Ajay, USA/Mangalore

Raju, Sharjah

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Title: Chikmagalur: Pro-Konkani association seethes over decision on Kannada liturgy

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