Photos: Stanly Bantwal
Mangaluru, Apr. 23: Over a thousand people gathered at the Milagres Church grounds at 7 p.m. on 23rd April to mourn the death of hundreds people killed in the bomb explosion in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.
Msgr Maxim Noronha the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore expressed deep anguish at the terror act in which more than three hundred were killed and around five hundred wounded. He expressed hope that all those killed in the terror act live on as all of them believed in death and resurrection of Jesus. It can be recalled that people killed in the explosion had gathered to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. The feast of Resurrection is a feast of Jesus rising from death to life. In His resurrection Jesus has defeated death. Hence all those who came with the belief that Jesus has risen from death and all those who trust Him also rise to life can never be perished. They too live on in the Lord, he said.
The people gathered stood in silence with lighted candles in hand for two minutes to pay respect for the victims. Fr J.B. Crasta prayed for the souls of victims and the wounded.
Fr Valerian D’Souza the Parish Priest of Milagres Church along with other number of priests, Religious Sisters participated in the prayer meet.
Fr Onil D’Souza the Director of Saint Anthony’s Ashram Jeppu welcomed the gathering. Mr M.P. Noronha the senior advocate and the Secretary of Diocesan Pastoral Parishad proposed the vote of thanks. Mrs. Ida Furtado, President of Catholic Sabha Rosario Cathedral unit compared the program.
