Daijiworld Media Network - London
 
London, Sep 23: The Eucharistic celebrations and a meeting was organized by the Konkani Catholics of London on Sunday, September 21, at the St Anthony’s Church Edgware, London, to unite in solidarity with the Christians in India in general and particularly in Costal Karnataka.

The Eucharistic Celebration was presided by Dr Fr Pius Fidelis Pinto. The first reading was read by Reshma Lobo and the second by Janet D’souza. Dr Pius Fidelis Pinto, who is a specialist in the history of Konkani Christians, refreshed the memory of the gathering by explaining the captivity of the Christians of Canara between 1784 and 1799. He explained how the lay people kept their faith alive during their captivity in Sriranga Patna in Mysore. He also called the Christians of all denominations to come together in an ecumenical spirit.

Soon after the Eucharistic Celebrations a meeting was held at the same place. Richard Lobo, Eugene Dias, Ronald Rodrigues, Thomas D’souza, and Raj Francis Pereira the chief editor of Konkanifriends.com spoke on the occasion with the appropriate message calling for the unity of Christians in India and called worldwide Konkani Catholics to show solidarity to the suffering brothers and sisters in Costal Karnataka.

Nigel Pais brought forward the following memorandum to be submitted to the Honourable Prime minister of India. This was signed by the 230 members who were present on this occasion.

A holy hour was conducted by the Konkani prayer group as a reparation for the desecretion of the Blessed Sacrament, showing irreverence for the crucifix and burning the Bible.

Violet D’souza proposed the vote of thanks. She expressed her gratitude to one and all for their active involvement and demonstrating the spirit of Solidarity. She also thanked Eugene Dias, Richard & Christine Lobo, Ronald Rodrigues, Melwyn, Dr Fr Pius Fidelis Pinto and Raj Francis Pereira who were responsible for organizing this meet.