Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 21: A section of parishioners has expressed strong displeasure over the demolition of the heritage Christ the King Church at Kayyar in Kasargod district, terming the move painful and unjustified despite repeated appeals to preserve the decades-old structure.
Kayyar Church Conservation Committee consisting Wilson J P D’ Souza, John D’Souza, Aneesh Suares, Anston Sures, Oswald D’Souza and Prakash Noronha, held a press meet to address the issue at the press club on Saturday February 21. They said, “Christ the King Church in Kayyar village of Kasargod district comes under the Roman Catholic diocese of Mangalore and is located about 42 km from Mangaluru city. Kayyar is a land where many languages blend harmoniously. Rich in natural beauty and intellectual heritage, Kayyar is the birthplace of many poets and artists, including the renowned poet Kayyara Kinhanna Rai. With scenic places like Posadi Gumpe, Kayyar holds a distinctive place in cultural and aesthetic values. The temples, mosques, and churches here represent the essence of diversity and social unity. The people of Kayyar, who live in harmony and brotherhood, are the precious gems of this land. One of the many landmarks of this village was its beautiful and majestic church. Dedicated to ‘Christ the King’, this church had stood for more than seven decades, offering divine grace and peace to the faithful.
“The magnificent structure was built in 1953 under the leadership of Fr Lawrence S Pais, through the tireless effort and determination of the villagers. It was inaugurated on April 25, 1956. From that day until recently, not only in Kayyar but also in the surrounding villages, Christ the King Church stood as a symbol of grandeur. Today, it has been demolished.
“Under the leadership of the present parish priest, construction of a new church building is progressing at a different designated site. The old building posed no obstacle whatsoever to the new construction. However, the unscientific and self-serving decision of the committee to demolish the old church has caused deep pain to many,” they said. The parishioners stated that this beautiful structure, built through the sweat and struggle of elders during difficult times, should have stood as a memorial for future generations. “It should have remained as an artistic testimony of Roman-Gothic architecture, capable of showcasing the beauty of the village to the world. Ignoring these appeals, the priest and committee, through their thoughtless action, have brought down a decades-old architectural and artistic marvel,” they added.
The committee members further stated that a petition had been submitted to the diocese of Mangalore requesting the preservation of the building, but their appeals were not valued and the church building was demolished during the night. They strongly condemned the act, stating that the building was a witness to the history of the village. Its Roman-Gothic traditional and artistic architecture would have inspired future students, historians, economists, and researchers to study local history and heritage. However, in a single stroke, without any hindsight, the decision of the bishop, priest, and committee has reduced everything to ruins, they alleged.
They also expressed deep dissatisfaction with the manner in which the church building was demolished, stating that it was reduced to dust using heavy machinery. The Cross, the most sacred religious symbol of Christians, was not even given minimal respect during its demolition, they alleged, adding that the manner in which it was brought down has caused widespread outrage on social media. They said the priest and committee must answer for this.
The parishioners questioned why the building was demolished overnight, asking that if there were proper justifications, why there was a need to demolish it at night. They also alleged threatening behaviour by the priest, including warnings of police complaints against youth who attempted to record videos, threats of cases leading to 8–10 years of imprisonment, and threats of obstructing marriage documentation, and said these issues must be addressed. They warned that the priest, who has become a source of distress for the youth, should be transferred from Kayyar at the earliest. They stated that the demolition of the old church building has caused an irreparable loss to elders, youth, the village, the state, and beyond, and held the bishop of Mangalore, parish priest, the pastoral council, and the committee members responsible.
They said several efforts were made to preserve the old Christ the King Church. As directed by the bishop of Mangalore, eleven parishioners had submitted written undertakings stating that they would take financial and physical responsibility for its maintenance. Despite taking such a significant decision to preserve a beautiful architectural work in their own village, their efforts were given no value, the release said.
To certify the structural stability of the old building, a detailed report was obtained from NITK Surathkal by spending approximately Rs 27,000, but even this was sidelined. A report was also prepared through a conservation architect and copies of all these documents were attached. Despite all efforts, they stated that they have lost before the system and that their defeat has resulted in the destruction of a great work of art. They said such ancient structures must be preserved and that it is a collective duty to protect heritage, describing it as the wealth of the land, the state, and the country. They added that if their struggle inspires even a small awareness among future generations about the importance of heritage conservation, that itself would be the reward for their efforts.
They demanded that the religious leader, the bishop of Mangalore, answer the questions raised, failing which they said they would be compelled to stage a protest in front of the bishop’s residence.