Media Release

Chikmagaluru, March 2: Mother Theresa was a humanitarian who worked for the cause of poor, setting aside barriers if caste, creed and religion. The nobel prize and Bharat Ratna award was conferred on her service to the mankind and not for religious conversions, Chikmagaluru catholic diocese bishop Dr Anthony Swamy said.

He was speaking at a protest held under the aegis of Malnad Christian Welfare Association(IFKCA) and churches in front of DC’s office in Chikmagaluru on Monday.

Mother Theresa’s life was solely devoted to the service of leprosy patients, destitute, physically disabled and orphans. There was no room for religious conversion in her heart, he said.

Malnad christian welfare association director Ruben Moses said that the controversial statement on Mother Theresa by RSS chief Mohan Bhagavath, has brought her remembrance to people. She will be revered forever by people, for her humanitarian service, he added.

CSI Church priest Jacob, association office bearers James D’souza, Sylvester, Christopher George also spoke.

People belonging to christian community took out a protest rally from old taluk office to the DC’s office, opposing the statement of Mohan Bhagavath. They shouted slogans against Bhagavath and organizations which carried out attacks on churches in Delhi and other places. They urged Bhagavath to withdraw his statement and demanded protection to churches and other christian organizations.

A memorandum was submitted to the President of India and Karnataka governor through the DC, additional DC Vaishali received the memorandum.

Malnad christian welfare association president Felix Sequeira, secretary P J Francis, Fr George D’souza, Fr Shanthraj, Fr Felix Rosario, christian nuns and other people took part in the protest.