Mangalore: The 'Mangalore Christian Council' (MCC) celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on Wednesday, 14th December, 2022, at 4.30 p.m. at Rosario Cultural Hall, Mangaluru.

The function was presided by Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mangalore.  The new Bishop of CSI-Karnataka Southern Diocese Rt Rev. Hemachandra Kumar, Bishop of Malankara Catholic Diocese of Puttur, Most Rev. Dr Geevarghese Mar Makarios, and Fr Baptist Menezes , National Ecumenical Secretary (CBCI) were the Chief Guests.

The new Bishop of CSI-Karnataka Southern Diocese Rt Rev. Hemachandra Kumar was felicitated at this occasion. The former Secretaries (between 2012-2022) Rev. Dr J B Saldahna, Rev Clifford Fernandes and Rev Sagar Sundaraj and the treasurer  F.M Lobo were also felicitated. Rev. Dr H.M Watson, Principal Karnataka Theological College and Rev. Dr Ronald Serrao, rector, St. Joseph’s Seminary offered special prayers on this occasion. Rev. M Praburaj, Area Chairman CSI-DK Area and Alfred Manohar All Karnataka United Christian forum for Human Rights –Western Zone were present.

The Prizes were distributed for all those winners of the Essay Competition conducted on the occasion of diamond Jubilee. Members of various denominations, Christian institutions and faith communities presented the Christmas message through Music, Singing, Dance and Drama and entertained the audience. 

The Mangalore Christian Council is a voluntary Body of Christians, under the patronage of the Bishops of the Church of South India - The Southern Karnataka Dioceses and the Catholic Diocese of Mangalore. It also has membership drawn from the various mainline Christian denominations in Mangaluru, calling people to live in harmony and peace, promoting unity among Christians and the values of Christ Jesus.

Names of the Essay competition Prize winners:

Konkani (16-30 years)

1. Naveen Shervin D’Souza, Bantwal

2. Viola Mascarenhas, Gantalkatte

3. Leesha Vinisha Lobo, Bantwal

English (16-30 years)

1. Ann Mary Varghese, Mangaluru

2. Diona Lita D’Souza, Ferar

3. Daniel Thomas, Kerala

Kannada

1. Saujanya J, Chickmagaluru

2. Geetha Hans, Mangaluru

3. Susheela Idora, Mangaluru

Konkani (Above 30 years)

1. Lavina Leera Menezes, Balkunje

2. Richard Alvares, Cordel

3. Odrin D’Souza, Bantwal

English (Above 30 years)

1. Rosina Florence D’Souza, Mangaluru

2. Melena Jyothi Gonsalves, Bantwal

3. Peema Melita Pinto, Mangaluru

The Members of the Mangalore Diocese Ecumenical Commission were instrumental in organizing the event.

Anil D’sa and  Glory Dezo compered the program. Rev. Rupesh Madtha Secretary Mangalore Christian Council welcomed the gathering. Rev. Dr Sandeep Theophil delivered the vote of thanks.