Responding to massacre in Sri Lanka on 21st April Easter Sunday, the diocese of Udupi along with other denominations while expressing deep sentiments of sorrow for the 359 people dead in eight serial blasts, called a prayer meet at the Mother of Sorrows Church Udupi on 25th April, 2019.
Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Msgr. Baptist Menezes, the Vicar General, Rev. Fr Steven Sarvothama, Pastor of CSI Church Udupi, Rev. Fr Noel Karkada, Rev. Fr William Martis, Fr Lawrence C. D’Souza, Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Rev. Fr Fredrick D’Souza, Parish Priest of Manipal Church; Rev. Fr. Alphonse D’Lima, Parish Priest of Kota Church; Rev. Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Director of Udupi Diocesan Laity Commission; Rev. Fr Steevan D’Souza, Director of Divya Jyothi, Rev. Fr Vincent Coelho, Principal of St John’s PU College Shankerapura; Rev. Fr Francis Cornelio, Parish Priest of Thottam Church, Rev. Fr Vijay D‘Souza, Asst. Parish Priest of Udupi Church; Rev. Fr Gerald Sandeep D’Mello, Asst. Parish Priest of Kolalgiri Church; Rev. Fr Royson Fernandes, Designate Editor of Uzwaad; Rev Fr Prakash Lobo OFM, Rev Fr. Alban D’Souza, Parish Priest of Kalmady Church, Mr Dion D’Souza, President-ICYM, Udupi Diocese, Mrs. Janet Barboza, President of Udupi Diocesan Stree Sanghatan; Mr Alwyn Quadros, President of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh; Mr Alphonse D’Costa, Secretary of Udupi Diocesan Pastoral Council; Muslim leaders Mohammed Moula, Yaseen Malpe and others were present.
A Prayer service was conducted for the departed souls followed by one-minute silence and lighting of candles in their memory.
Mr Dion D’Souza welcomed the gathering and Mr Alphonse D’Costa compered the prayer service and proposed the vote of thanks.
A large number of priests, nuns, and the Lay faithful participated in the prayer meeting.