Ecumenical Prayer Service Held at Udupi Diocese Emphasizes Christian Unity
Udupi: Emphasising that national unity can be achieved only when individuals set aside personal ideologies and view every person as their own, Rev. Fr. Viresh Moras, a priest of Thirthahalli Church, expressed his views at the Udupi Diocese-level Christian unity and ecumenical prayer meet.
He delivered his message on Monday evening while participating in the prayer service organized as part of the Christian unity and ecumenical prayer meeting. He noted that India has often been described by poets as a garden of peace for all communities, and such harmony can be realised only when people live together in unity. He stressed that various Christian denominations must come together to raise a collective voice on issues facing the nation, thereby fostering the feeling that “we are all one.”
Presiding over the unity meet, the Bishop of the Udupi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, said that the spirit of unity should be strengthened by responding with compassion to the difficulties and sufferings of others. He added that when one becomes the voice of another’s pain, it becomes possible to see God in them. He called upon the faithful to move forward together by setting aside differences and divisions.
Addressing the gathering, CSI Southern Diocese Bishop Rev. Hemachandra Kumar expressed hope that the Unity Week would help strengthen Christian congregations and further reinforce the sense of oneness among all.
National Committee Member of the Christian Unity Commission and Public Relations Officer of the Udupi Diocese, Rev. Dennis D’Sa, Diocesan Chancellor Rev. Stephen D’Souza, Udupi deanery vicar Forane Rev. Charles Menezes, CSI representatives Rev. Kishore and Rev. Santosh, along with representatives from Roman Catholic, CSI, Syro-Malabar, and other Christian denominations, participated in the prayer service.
Vice-President of the United Christian Forum, Prashanth Jattanna, welcomed the gathering, while Rev. Leo Praveen D’Souza, Director of the Christian Unity Commission of the Udupi Diocese, proposed the vote of thanks.
