God Unites and Satan Divides: Rev Austin Peres at Surathkal Ecumenical Gathering.

The Ecumenical Gathering of different churches of Surathkal vicariate , with the theme " united in
Christ " was held on 24 March 2024 Sunday at Sacred Heart Church Sabhabavan hall ,Surathkal.
Rt Rev Hemachandra Kumar , the Bishop of Church of South India, Mangalore was the chief guest
of the programme. The programme was presided over by Very Rev Austin Peter Peres , the Vicar

Forane of St Teresa of Kolkata Vicariate. Fr Rupesh Madtha , the Secretary Ecumenism Commission,
Mangalore diocese , Rev Steven Sarvottama, Unity CSI Church Mulki, Rev Amrithraj Khode,
Haleyangady CSI Church, Rev William Kundar Krishnapura CSI Church, Rev Sandya Supritha
Panambur CSI Church, Fr Sunil D Souza , Thokur Catholic Church, Fr Cyril Pinto Mukka Catholic
Church, Fr Sylvester D Costa Mulki Catholic Church, Fr Santhosh Lobo Katipalla Catholic Church, Fr
Maxim Pinto SVD Catholic Retreat Centre Mulki, Fr Richard D Souza Surathkal, Fr Ronald D Silva SVD,
Catholic Retreat Centre Mulki and Mr Rolphy D Costa Secretary ,Surathkal deanery Pastoral
Parished were present on the dais.
The programme had two important parts ; the Ecumenical prayer and praise and worship by
members of different churches followed by the study session . The academic inputs were given on
three important topics: The need of Christian Unity, its history and development by Very Rev Austin
Peres, the Challenges to Christian unity; personal , within community and from outside by Fr Rupesh
Madtha and How to face the challenges with power of the Word of God and in the name of Jesus
Christ by Rt Rev Hemachandra Kumar the Bishop of CSI Mangalore.
The input was followed by the discussion and action plan for the future, moderated by Fr Richard D
Souza. In the concluding remarks Fr Richard said, humanity, religiosity , spirituality and Christ
centred life are closely connected to Christian unity.
In the Presidential remarks Very Rev Austin appreciated to overwhelming response to the
programme and said, 'beginning is always easy but to maintain the momentum is very difficult, but
we have to face the challenges and come together in the future. God unites and only Satan divides.
Maximise what unites us and minimise what divides, with the promptings of the Holy Spirit'.
Fr Sylvester D Costa welcomed the gathering and Mr Rolphy D Costa felicitated the guests with
shawls and flowers ,Ms Vivid D Souza compeered the programme ,Fr Richard D Souza Proposed the
vote of thanks. The ecumenical gathering concluded with fellowship meal.
The Religious Sisters of the deanery, Members of deanery pastoral Parished , Ward Gurkars and
office bearers parish pastoral parished of five Catholic churches of the deanery, members and
leaders from CSI Churches were present for the gathering. This was a first gathering of this kind and
many suggested to continue the same to build a good rapport between the churches of Surathkal
deanery, during the special occasions.