By Isaac Harold Gomes
The Catholic Association of Bengal (CAB) organised an Ecumenical Prayer Service February 21, 2015, at Vianney Hall, on the theme “We are the Body of Christ and we stand united in our faith, in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
After Fr. Patrick Rodrigues, Spiritual Director of CAB, said the opening prayer, Alexander Anthony-President welcomed all. This was followed by input from various speakers.
Fr. Francis Pinto spoke of Martin Luther's desire for vernacular Mass. Luther was the first to write a Catechism of the Church. Until 50 years ago, when Vatican-II brought fresh air into the Catholic Church, Catholics were not allowed to read the Bible. Instead they were handed a 15-decade Rosary to learn prayers by heart!
Pastor V.C. George Kutty (Assembly of God Church) quoted Corinthians Chapter12 : “For as the body is one, and had many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” He said in the Church, too, there are different denominations but all worshiping one Christ. Diversity is not division but an evidence of the wisdom of God.
CNI Bishop Emeritus Raju prayed for everyone to be filled with the joy of Christ. We should be
like Christ’s disciples who were of one accord, he said.
Fr. Vincent Lobo said division in the Catholic Church, especially hidden agendas of Church
leaders was worse than persecution of Christians. He prayed for Chief Minister, Prime Minister and other leaders.
AICU National President, Eugene Gonsalvas, spoke of Unity Octave initiatives. He stressed Christians should set examples by service and behaviour and priests should keep away from power and money.
Lay evangelist Gaurav Singha Ray testified that, after long search, he had found Jesus and would live as Salt of the Earth.
The Catholic Association of Bengal (CAB) organised an Ecumenical Prayer Service February 21, 2015, at Vianney Hall, on the theme “We are the Body of Christ and we stand united in our faith, in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
After Fr. Patrick Rodrigues, Spiritual Director of CAB, said the opening prayer, Alexander Anthony-President welcomed all. This was followed by input from various speakers.
Fr. Francis Pinto spoke of Martin Luther's desire for vernacular Mass. Luther was the first to write a Catechism of the Church. Until 50 years ago, when Vatican-II brought fresh air into the Catholic Church, Catholics were not allowed to read the Bible. Instead they were handed a 15-decade Rosary to learn prayers by heart!
Pastor V.C. George Kutty (Assembly of God Church) quoted Corinthians Chapter12 : “For as the body is one, and had many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” He said in the Church, too, there are different denominations but all worshiping one Christ. Diversity is not division but an evidence of the wisdom of God.
CNI Bishop Emeritus Raju prayed for everyone to be filled with the joy of Christ. We should be
like Christ’s disciples who were of one accord, he said.
Fr. Vincent Lobo said division in the Catholic Church, especially hidden agendas of Church
leaders was worse than persecution of Christians. He prayed for Chief Minister, Prime Minister and other leaders.
AICU National President, Eugene Gonsalvas, spoke of Unity Octave initiatives. He stressed Christians should set examples by service and behaviour and priests should keep away from power and money.
Lay evangelist Gaurav Singha Ray testified that, after long search, he had found Jesus and would live as Salt of the Earth.
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