Day 3 of 'Week for Christian Unity' in Belagavi Marked by Prayer Meet

Belagavi, January 25, 2025 – The third day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Belagavi brought together Christians from various denominations on January 23, 2025, at the New India Church of God in Vaibhav Nagar, Belagavi. The event, organized by the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights, Belgaum Zone, fostered a spirit of unity among clergy, religious, and laypersons sharing a common faith.

The gathering was attended by the Bishop of Belgaum, Most Rev. Derek Fernandes; Pastor Nooruddin Mullah, chief pastor of the New India Church of God; as well as pastors, priests, religious sisters, and lay members from various churches. The bilingual prayer service, conducted in English and Kannada, was compered by Advocate Mrs. Elsie Tenzing.

Msgr. Philipkutty Joseph, the Vicar General of the Belgaum Diocese, opened the gathering with a prayer. This was followed by a reading of Psalm 133 by Rev. Fr. Albert D’Souza, parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker Church, Vaibhavnagar.

"How good, how delightful it is to live as brothers all together!" (Psalm 133:1), Fr. Albert read. The atmosphere was further uplifted by Bro. Akshay Kumar and his team, who led a moving praise and worship session.

The Gospel passage, recounting the healing of the man with a withered hand (Mk 3:1-6), was read by Pastor Sebastian. Rev. Fr. Harry Victor D’Cruz, Principal of Vidya Mandir High School and Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church, Madanbhavi, delivered the day's message, emphasizing the need for unity. He spoke of how humanity has been divided on the basis of religion, not by the design of God, but as a consequence of sin.

“True unity can only be achieved by professing Christ as the savior of all and receiving the Holy Spirit, who on the day of Pentecost brought unity among various peoples,” he said.

Bishop Derek Fernandes, in his exhortation, spoke of how disunity among Christians was already present during the time of Jesus when the Apostles were vying with each other for the first place. However, fear and persecution gathered them together, and the Holy Spirit made them united in one faith.

“We should not be united out of fear of external threats but by the common faith we share,” he said. 

The prayer service concluded with Bishop Derek's benediction, leaving the congregation inspired and united. Attendees departed with a renewed commitment to living the psalmist's words: “How good it is to live as brothers all together!”

By Fr. Alwin Christopher George.