Shrine News

Karkala, Jul 11: St Lawrence Church, Attur near here will be declared as minor Basilica in the presence of Mangaluru Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza on August 1.

Udupi diocese Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo unveiled the invitation for the historic event in Attur church on Monday, July 11.

Vicar general Msgr Baptist Menezes, programme convener Fr Lawrence C D' Souza, Karkala zonal chief priest Fr Joswy Fernandes, St Lawrence pilgrim center rector Fr George D' Souza, diocese public relation officer Fr Denis D' Sa, Divya Jyothi director Fr Stephan D'Souza, Karkala zonal Chief priest Fr Sunil D' Silva, Fr Anil Cornelio, Fr Vijay D' Souza, Fr Thomas D'Souza, Fr Jerome Monteiro, Elias Fernandes from Four Winds, Church pastoral council vice-president Richard Pinto were present.

Programme on August 1

The programme on August 1 will start at 10 am with grand Mass followed by public programme at 11.45 am. Mumbai Arch Bishop, CCBI and FIBC president Cardinal Oswald Gracious will lead the Mass. Thiruvananthapuram Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Major Arch Bishop and Catholic Bishop Conference (CBCI) president Cardinal Baselious Climis will announce in Latin and Udupi Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will announce in Konkani the declaration of Minor Basilica.

Bengaluru Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras will deliver the homily. Ernakulum Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alancheri, Ranchi Archbishop Cardinal Telesfor Topo, Mangaluru bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D' Souza will be present.

Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district in charge ministers, MPs and MLAs will participate as guests of honour.

Only selected churches are pronounced as Minor Basilica. His Holiness the Pope of Catholics pronounces it on the basis of devotional programmes and attraction of the devotees on the recommendation of disciplinary committee. The Pope had announced recently that the Pilgrim center will be declared a Minor Basilica.