Mangalore: Closure of Divine Centre Mulky: Management Clarifies
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, May 25: Following the decision of the administration of Divine Centre Mulky to temporarily close the centre, various opinions and suggestions made by the people who are concerned with this development, are appearing in the print and electronic media. Taking these into account, the management of the Divine Centre has come with certain clarifications in an exclusive letter addressed to Daijiworld.com.
The letter received from Fr Cyprian Lewis SVD, director of Mulky Divine Centre, has been produced here below in Toto.
"Divine Call Centre, Mulky was inaugurated on 1.10.2004 with the motto “Glory to God” for the purpose of helping the faithful to have an intimate experience of God through prayers, retreats and ministries. This Centre came into existence because of the vision and mission of the Society of the Divine Word (S.V.D.). The competent authority had given the permission to Fr. Jacob Gerald Sequeira SVD to start the Centre at Mulky with the backing of many S.V.D. priests and the co-operation of many volunteers and good willed people. Over the past five years Divine Call Centre has grown to the present stature and many people have experienced the presence of the Divine. Thanks to the sacrifices of thousands of faithful and the abundant blessings of God.
But in the recent times the sanctity of this place and the purpose of the Centre is not actualized because of some administrative, security and other reasons. Hence, a new Director, Fr Cyprian Lewis SVD was appointed on 26th February 2009 by the SVD – India Mumbai Provincial administration. Accordingly, Fr. Cyprian Lewis took charge of the Centre and the administration. The previous Director, Fr. Jacob Gerald Sequeira is transferred to Mysore with effect from 4th May, 2009. However, Fr. Jacob Gerald has refused to accept the transfer and has not vacated the office and has made it difficult for the new Director to function. This has caused much confusion and has disrupted the normal functioning.
The employees of the Centre too have not co-operated with the new director instigated by the out-going director. The out-going director has also called upon the faithful to support him and has pressurized the Provincial administration to revoke the transfer. A group of faithful have demanded repeatedly to retain the out-going director and when not heeded they have disrupted the services by making announcements during the service without permission and by issuing provocative statements to the faithful. This has resulted in confusion and has led to group violence. All this has prevented the Centre and the new director to function and carry on the religious services for which the Centre was established. Due to all these reasons the Managing Committee of the Society has taken the painful decision of closing the Centre temporarily till the order is established and the sanctity and purpose of the Centre is upheld.
So, we request all God-fearing people, all our benefactors, well-wishers and co-workers to co-operate with us so that we will be able to re-open the Centre and resume all its normal activities at the earliest. It is our earnest prayer that the good work the Lord had begun through the S.V.D. Society under the leadership of Fr. Jacob Gerald Sequeira and the team may continue and bear much fruit in the months and years to come. We thank all who have stood by us and have expressed deep concern over the recent painful developments at Divine Call Centre. May God bless you all and continue to guide you to work for His Kingdom.
Fr. Cyprian Lewis SVD
Director
Divine Call Centre, Mulky.
Earlier Announcement: