Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Oct 26: Udupi diocese has issued a clarification relating to the media reports with regard to the Belve St Joseph's Church located at the St Joseph's Agricultural Colony, Belve in Udupi diocese.

In a clarification issued by the public relations officer of the diocese of Udupi in relation to the above media reports, a few key points related to Belve church have been addressed.

The clarification note referred to these reports has stressed that the claim about the closure of the church gates and not allowing entry for the faithful into the church are far from true. The note said, "On October 24 morning daily Eucharistic celebration was held and the faithful did participate in the celebration. In July 2021, a new director was appointed for the Belve Colony, as the office of the priest and toilets were very congested. The director had begun the extension work after taking written permission from the bishop of the diocese of Udupi and no part of the church building was damaged in the process.

Belve church (file photo)

"A joint meeting with the representative of Belve, and the administrative committee of the diocese was held at the Bishop's residence in Udupi on October 5. All the issues were discussed therein. Apart from the demand to transfer the priest all other demands were spelt out by the representatives of Belve and they had submitted the same in writing.

"It is regrettable that in spite of the fact that the faithful knew that the bishop has exclusive rights to appoint or transfer any priest or director of the church/institution rights of the bishop to appoint/transfer to any church/institution/colony as per the rules of Catholic Church and diocese, they questioned this right. Christians of Belve did not give importance to these matters and sided with the people who are not related with the church and held protest. No one has ever restricted the entry of the faithful into the church for taking part in prayer service. If any instructions are given by the existing director those are part of the conduct of the church.

"We request the Christian faithful of Belve St Joseph Agricultural Colony not to fall prey to any sort of false information and continue with the Christian faith, the clarification note concluded.