Mangaluru: The Mangalore Diocese organised a Christmas dinner at the Bishop’s House on December 27. Over 75 members from different communities of the city were invited to the event.
The chief guest at the dinner was Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor PS Yadapadithaya. Mangalore Diocese Bishop Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha welcomed the gathering.
In his welcome address, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha said, “This is the time to relax in the company of one another and come to know new faces. Christmas brings good news and great joy for a child is born, for His son is given to us. The summary of Jesus Christ’s message to all of us is to love God and love thy neighbor. When we exclude people, we exclude God himself as we are all His children on this earth. Let this Christmas help us to rise above the dangerous prejudices.”
Addressing the gathering, chief guest Yadapadithaya said, “God became a human being to make all of us better human beings. Unless we become better human beings, we cannot become great personalities. By looking for godliness in others, we can find the godliness in ourselves. Serving mankind is the greatest prayer that we can do to invoke God’s blessings.”
“As the Vice-Chancellor, I am practicing Jesus’s teachings to start loving our enemies. We should respect the unconditional love shown by Jesus who forgave even the ones who crucified him,” he added.
Several prominent politicians such as former BJP MLC Ganesh Karnik, MP Noronha, MLC Ivan D’Souza, and former minister Ramanath Rai also graced the occasion. Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sindhu B Roopesh was also present.
