Mangalore, December 23: Mangalore diocesan Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza has laid emphasize on the need of a collective social concern towards shelter-less and homeless people in the society.
Delivering the Christmas message at a press meet at Bishop's House here on Friday, he said the true religion extends the hand of protection towards shelter-less and needy.
“Though the diocese does not oppose the development of the society and industrialisation, it cannot support the displacement process of the poor people under the pretext of development and industrialisation”, he said.
He also pointed out that mass media have already unleashed the scary faces of Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) and Indian Strategic Petroliam Reserves Limited (ISPRL), which have not only led to the displacement of hundreds of people in this part of the state, but threatening the environment of the region as well.
The Bishop said that the ongoing post centenary silver jubilee celebrations of Mangalore diocese, has doubled the joy of this year's Christmas. Mangalore Diocese has traversed 125 years since Pope Leo XIII established the Indian hierarchy, and it was officially proclaimed on January 25, 1887. In virtue of this hierarchy, Vicariate of Mangalore had become Mangalore Diocese. The grand valedictory of this year-long celebration will be held on February 11 and 12 in 2012 in the city, he said.
He also said that the philanthropic projects taken up as part of the 125th year celebration of the Diocese is in progress. Out of 160 houses the Diocese has planned to construct for the poor, 60 houses have already been constructed. The construction of remaining 100 houses will be accomplished soon, he added.
He said that the Diocese is also planning to construct a hostel to accommodate about 100 poor students and also to construct a memorial at Bajpe to mark the silver jubilee of the papal visit to Mangalore.
CODP?Director Fr Onil D'Souza, Raymond D Cunha and Fr William Menezes were also present in the press meet.
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