Udupi: Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh and Diocesan Laity Commission organized seminar for diocesan Laity Citizens’ awareness on present political purview and our responsibility at Anugraha, (Diocesan Pastoral Centre), Kakkunje near here on Sunday, September 3.
Bishop Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. In his inaugural address, Bishop said that through the Catholic Sabha, it would be necessary to prepare the second phase leaders from our community and take a proactive approach to train the second phase leaders to become the future leaders from our community.
Bishop said that there will be forthcoming various elections taking place at parliamentary and panchayat levels. So through the Catholic Sabha, it would be necessary to prepare for the election by enrolling youth names in electoral lists and so on.
He said that there shall be a need to give awareness of the National Constitution for the lay citizens in order to understand our Constitution.
Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese, and Spiritual Director of Catholic Sabha and Laity Commission spoke during the occasion and blessed the occasion.
Rev Fr. Vincent Crasta, Director of Diocesan Pastoral Centre and Secretary of CESU was the chief guest on the occasion and also briefly spoke during the occasion.
The resource persons were Dr Jayaprakash Shetty, Professor, Tenkanidiyur Government First Grade College and Melwyn D’Souza, Advocate and Politician, Shirva.
Dr Jayaprakash Shetty gave a talk on awareness of political purview and our responsibilities while Melwyn D’Souza briefed on both central and state government’s benefits available for our citizens.
The group discussion was held for the participants which was moderated by Dr Gerald Pinto, Director of Diocesan Laity Commission and Former President of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh.
Santhosh Cornelio, President of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh presided over the seminar programme. Olivia D’Mello Secretary,
Earlier after the invocation prayers, Convener of the Seminar and past president of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, Mary D’Souza gave an introduction and welcomed the gathering. Dr Gerald Pinto gave an introduction to resource persons Dr Jayaprakash Shetty and Melwyn D’Souza.
Former Presidents of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh Valerian Fernandes and Walter Cyril Pinto, Unit Presidents of Catholic Sabha, Conveners’ of parishes Laity Commission were present.
Santhosh Cornelio placed his presidential remarks on the conference at the end. Olivia D’Mello proposed a vote of thanks while Irene Menezes from Milagres Catholic Sabha unit compared the programme.
