Diocese to give homes to 160 families: Bishop

Christmas should be a hope to the homeless, said Mangalore Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza in a press meet on Friday.

Mangalore Diocese had taken up various developmental works on the occasion of the centenary silver jubilee celebrations. A project to build houses to 160 homeless families was taken up and work of 60 houses has already commenced, he said.

The construction of the remaining 100 houses will begin shortly. More than 2,000 houses have been constructed since the year 2,000 under the aegis of Canara Organisation for Development and Peace (CODP), he said.

Under the medical relief fund, Rs 1.75 crore has been collected and Rs 52 lakhs has been distributed to the needy cancer patients and those with cardiac problems.

The diocese has plans to construct two hostels for needy students and provide free education to the needy students through the Colleges and Schools associated with the church.

“With the upcoming UPCL, MSEZ and ISPRCL projects, many families are losing their homes and are living under fear. I am in support of projects which will only benefit the people,” Bishop clarified.

The valedictory of the centenary silver jubilee celebrations of the Mangalore Diocese will be held on February 11 and 12 in Mangalore, he said.