BELAGAVI
Aggrieved by the act of desecration of the graves at the Shahapur cemetery here, the Catholic community of Belagavi on Wednesday offered special prayer services and observed a silent protest at the cemetery. Vicar General of the Diocese of Belagavi and senior priest Rev Msgr Lucio Mascarenhas led the Konkani prayer services that were offered as the act of reparation.
After reading verses from the bible Msgr Lucio in his prayers sought forgiveness for the vandals who were indulged in the atrocious act. He also blessed all the crosses and the graves that were damaged and desecrated.
“Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing,” Msgr Lucio said while reminiscing words of Jesus Christ during the crucifixion on the Holy Cross.
“The Catholics in Belagavi are definitely pained and aggrieved by the shocking act of those involved in the desecration of the crosses in the cemetery. Nevertheless, we pray for the transformation of the hearts of those involved in the act,” Msgr Lucio said, and expressed hope that the authorities too would impart their duties with diligence while maintaining communal harmony and protect the sentiments of the people.
Speaking on the occasion, Wilson Carvalho, Ben Fernandes, Jerome Andrade and others urged the Corporation authorities for the restoration of the damaged crosses and the graves in the cemetery. They said this would restore the dignity of the dead and offer some respite to the community. Nuns from the Divine Providence Convent and members of the Catholic community were present in large numbers during the prayer service and silent protest.
