SAR News October 16, 2003 Houses for Homeless, Belgaum Diocese's Jubilee Gift Belgaum: SAR News
The golden jubilee of the erection of the Diocese of Belgaum was marked by building of 50 houses for the houseless poor in the various districts of the diocese. The keys of these houses were handed over to the beneficiaries, October 12, amid jubilee festivities. "The diocese moved on a chartered course during the last fifty years with a vision of forming a just and humane society based on justice, peace and love," said Bishop Bernard Moras of Belgaum in a statement. The programme was implemented through the diocesan organs such as the Diocese Board of Education, Board of Social Service Society and various religious congregations. The Diocese of Belgaum, erected, September 19, 1953, is a melting pot of cultures, languages and lifestyles. Separated from the Archdiocese of Goa, two other civil districts of Dharwad and Bijapur were added to form Belgaum Diocese. The diocese now consists of six districts of Karnataka: Belgaum, Dharwad, Bijapur, Gadag, Haveri and Bagalkot and one taluk - Chandgad from Kolhapur district in Maharashtra. It has a Catholic population of 30,000, which speak five languages - Konkani, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil and English and spreads over an area of 44,215 sq.km. Belgaum Diocese has progressed in leaps and bounds in the past 50 years, upholding its vision of forming a society based on justice, peace and love. Today it stands proud of its achievements, especially in creating social awareness and progress thanks mainly to the Diocese Board of Education, Board of Social Service Society involved in empowerment and education of the poor. The Diocese's efforts to reach education to the remote corners are laudable. "The achievements have been spectacular," said one of the spokespersons. he diocese has 3 degree colleges, 5 pre-university colleges, one teachers training college, 22 high schools and 26 primary schools." The Jubilee Year that began on September 8, 2002 took up the theme 'The renewal and upliftment of the underprivileged'. And it is in keeping with this vision that Bishop Moras and his priests, together with the lay faithful, had undertaken the task of building houses for the poor. On October 12, the yearlong jubilee celebrations concluded with a grand Eucharistic celebration and festivities at the St. Paul's School grounds, where thousands of people participated. END ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################