Karkala: The mega historic event of the Proclamation and Dedication of the St Lawrence Shrine Attur, Karkala as Minor Basilica was held in a grand manner on Monday, August 1. St. Lawrence shrine is the second shrine in Karnataka to get the status of Minor Basilica after St. Mary’s Basilica in Bengaluru.
Proclamation and dedication of the Shrine as Minor Basilica took place during the mass. Three Cardinals, 30-40 Bishops and more than 300 priests and nuns along with thousands of devotees witnessed the historical occasion.
Mumbai Arch Bishop, CCBI and FIBC president Cardinal Oswald Gracious lead the Mass. The declaration of Minor Basilica was announced by Thiruvananthapuram Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Major Arch Bishop and Catholic Bishop Conference (CBCI) president Cardinal Baselios Cleemis in Latin and Udupi Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo announced in Konkani. Bengaluru Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras delivered the homily. Ernakulum Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alancherry, Ranchi Archbishop Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Mangaluru bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’ Souza were present.
Pramod Madhwaraj, Udupi District in-charge Minister, speaking on the occasion said that devotees from all faiths visit the shrine seeking blessings. The kind of peace and satisfaction that they receive here is the reason why they flock to this shrine. During my difficult times, I have come here and prayed and my prayers were heard. It is a place of miracles and this special occasion is a day of joy to all the people from Udupi and the entire state, he said.
Though Madhwaraj had to rush to Mysuru to attend the last rites of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son, he witnessed the historical occasion and was a part of it. He also broke down while speaking about Siddaramaiah.
Former MLA Gopala Bhandary hailed the shrine to be a place of unity and brotherhood. MLA Sunil Kumar was also present on the occasion.
