A number of people and priests from Belagavi and Goa were present at the 50th birthday celebration of Claretian priest serving in the Diocese of Belagavi, who has helped a large number of Goan liquor addicts to overcome their addiction.
Fr Pradeep Correa is director of Hope Recovery Centre at Peerandwadi-Belagavi and has been on a mission to eliminate liquor addiction since the last 13 years.
Chancellor of Diocese of Belgaum Fr Freddy Raj, Fr Jose and Fr Andrew were among the priests and other dignitaries from Belagavi and Goa who were present on the occasion.
“Fr Correa has rendered yeoman service to the people of the region. Scores of families from Belagavi and Goa region are thankful to him for saving the youngters from liquor addiction. His work has been applauded across the region,” Fr Andrew said.
Responding to the felicitation, Fr Correa said it is due to God’s Grace and love shown by the people that he could accomplish his mission.
“People of Goa have also extended their unconditional support and have shown their faith in me. Following a request from people of Goa, we are setting up a well-equipped centre at Colvale-Goa,” Fr Correa said.
Speaking to The Goan, Fr Correa said he is committed to the cause because alcoholism and drug addiction have destroyed many youngsters and families.
“We are deeply concerned about patients admitted at the Centre. We give a lot of importance to them, understand their background, their problems and reason why they get addicted and based on that we try to help them to cope up with the problems,” Fr Correa said.
“About 300 patients are treated at Hope Centre every year with the rising success rate of about 80%,” Fr Correa added.
