BELLARY, JAN 19: The prayer octave for Christian unity began yesterday, Jan. 18 in Bellary. The opening ecumenical worship was held at the historical Telugu Church under the auspices of United Christian Forum of Bellary.
In his inaugural message on the theme "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ", Bishop of Bellary Henry D’Souza urged all Christians to foster greater fellowship among the followers of Christ.
“Christian unity is at the heart of Church’s life. Its founder, Jesus Christ prayed: “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (Jn 17: 21).
Bishop D’Souza urged all Christians to shed prejudices and suspicion about each other, and bear witness to the life and message of Jesus Christ”.
“Disunity is a scandal. It’s only those who are truly transformed by the victory of Jesus Christ can courageously pull down the walls of division and sectarianism” Bishop added.
Vicar General of Bellary Fr. Chowrappa presented the Word of God at the worship.
The United Christian Forum is an association of all Christians of Bellary, Koppal and Raichur districts of northern Karnataka.
The prayer octave for Christian unity celebrated Jan. 18-25, is promoted by the World Council of Churches (WCC), a worldwide fellowship of 349 Churches seeking unity, common witness and Christian service.
Despite not being a member of the WCC, the Catholic Church participates in this ecumenical initiative.
Ecumenical prayer meetings will be held in Good Samaritan Church on Jan. 22 and conclude with another ecumenical worship at St. Anthony’s Church, Bellary on Jan. 25.
The Shrine of Bellary Arogya Mathe was blessed and dedicated on 8th September 2000 on the feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother Mary in memory of the great jubilee 2000 and the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Bellary