Withdrawal of cases against Christians – Those responsible thanked formally

Withdrawal of cases against Christians – Those responsible thanked formally

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 13, 2011:  A special ceremony was held at the Bishop’s House in Kodialbail on Dec 13 Tuesday to formally express gratitude to all those who played a role in pressurizing the state government to withdraw cases filed against Christians during the Church attacks of 2008. 

Among the people and organizations who played a major role for more than 3 years to get these cases withdrawn are IFKCA, Archbishop of Bangalore Dr. Bernard Moras, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, and a few others. 

 

 

 

Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the bishop of Mangalore Diocese, presided over the event and labeled the withdrawal of cases as a “victory of truth,” which proves that those accused were actually innocent and only protesting against those who attacked Christian places of worship. He also thanked all the lawyers who fought for justice. 

Speaking on the occasion, Fr. William Menezes specially thanked M. P. Noronha, Ivan D’Souza, Roy Castelino, and others who had taken up the cause seriously. While advocate D’Souza had represented over 95 percent of these cases, M. P. Noronha had challenged the Justice Somashekar Commission report. 

M. P. Noronha revealed that there was national as well as international pressure on the government to withdraw the cases and that it was a collective effort of all involved. He also acknowledged the role of Ronald Colaco, the NRI entrepreneur, in getting these cases withdrawn. 

Among the dignitaries on the dais were Ivan D’Souza, Fr. Onil D’Souza, M. P. Noronha PRO Fr. William Menezes, and Roy Castelino.