By Louis Rodrigues –
Belagavi: Former Archbishop of Bengaluru Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras has stated that only mission and purpose of every place of worship should be to bring people closer to God. He was delivering his homily on the occasion of the inauguration of the renovated building of The Sacred Heart Church, Madanbhavi in Bailhongal taluk, about 35 kms from Belagavi.
The blessing of the renovated church building was held at the hands of Archbishop emeritus Moras, followed by special prayer services late Sunday afternoon. The church that was erected in 1934 by the Jesuit priest late Fr Thomas Kottaram of the Goa Jesuit province and has been the symbol of peace and harmony. The priests and nuns here are rendering their services to the society in the field of education and social welfare among the villagers in the vicinity.
“The very mission of a church or any place of worship must be to bring people closer to God and inculcate the sentiment of brotherhood, sanctity and peace. As we enter this renovated church, let us remember that we are walking inside the temple at Jerusalem, the place of birth of Jesus Christ. As we look forth to the tabernacle, crucified Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible, one must remember that God feeds us through his word, body and blood,” the former Bishop of Belagavi said urging people to tread the path of holiness and sanctity. He also lauded the role played by Fr. Nelson in beautifully renovating the church, which he said would serve the above said purpose to a greater extent. Parish priest Fr Nelson welcomed the gathering and briefed about the history of the church.
Archbishop Moras and administrator of the Diocese of Belagavi Rev Fr Eusebio Fernandes were felicitated. Rev Fr Lucio Mascarenhas, Fr Philip Kutty, priests, nuns and people belonging to different faiths were present in large number.