Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jul 5: In a curious incident, two statues of historical figures were found by fishermen in Sita river here on Tuesday July 5.
The wooden statues were those of St Lawrence and Blessed Saint Fr Roque Zephrin Noronha.
Parish priest of Sasthan Church Fr John Walter said that he received a call from Valerian D'Souza of Hangarkatte in the morning saying that the statues were found floating near the port area. Fr Walter visited the spot and with the help of Valerian D'Souza, Vincent Banz, Santosh D'Almeida and a few non-Christian friends lifted the statue of St Lawrence from the river and brought it to the Sasthan church and installed it at ICYM stage.
It is learnt that the statues were found floating in the river by a few non-Christians on Monday July 4 but on the advice of elders, they did not lift them out. The statues were suck between a boat and the dockyard till this morning.
The statue of St Lawrence is made of one wooden log, five feet high, weighing around 40 kg, with one hand broken. The painting was done recently. It has been kept for public viewing.
The statue of Fr Roque Noronha, the Syrian priest was found floating near Kodi and the information about it was passed on to Fr Walter by a person named Vasudeva Kharvi. The statue was taken to SMS Church, Brahmavar.
There is no information yet on where the statues orginally came from, but unconfirmed sources said that both belonged to a house in Santhekatte.