Mangalore: 'United Christians' Protest Near Kulshekar Church
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SB)
Mangalore, Mar 20: The members of United Christian Association (UCA) organized a protest meet in front of the church gate against the incident of assault and life-threat against UCA member and Lourdes ward gurkaar Norbert Lobo on Sunday March 20.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Vincent Dcunha, member of UCA explaining the incident of assault, alleged that Norbert Lobo was manhandled by church vice-president Praveen Patrao on March 13 Sunday mass at 6.00 am just below the altar where hymns are recited in front of all the devotees. The assault was clearly pre-planned. Lobo had moved to make announcement that the meeting of the Lourdes ward will be held that evening after the church authorities refused to announce the same, he alleged.
Continuing further, explaining the prelude to the incident, D'Cunha said that Lourdes ward member Evlin was sent on Saturday evening to inform passing a chit to parish priest as a custom to urge him to announce that the ward meeting will be held Sunday evening. However, parish priest showed a tepid response and did not announce the same on Saturday evening.
The protestors assembled in front of the gate around 8.00 am shouting slogans against the Praveen Patrao and burnt his effigy. Protestors disbursed around 9.30 am after the speech by UCA leaders.
Alleged Parties' Reaction
However, speaking to Daijiworld, the member of church administration rejected the allegations made by UCA, and said, Norbert Lobo instigated Praveen Patrao, which led to verbal exchange inside the church after the mass. As per the resolution passed by the parish council, no layman is allowed to make any announcement during or after the mass without the approval from parish priest or parish council.
But Norbert Lobo has forcefully made an announcementafter the mass which led to verbal exchange which led to altercation.
Further, Daijiworld has gathered that, local police station has issued a warning that no group, which has no affiliation to church is allowed to participate in church activities as well as interfere in it.