Mangaluru Ecumenical Meet marks 1700 years of the Nicene Creed, reaffirming Christian unity

Mangalore Today News Network/ Fr Anil Fernandes, CCC

Mangaluru, November 12, 2025: The Christian community in Mangaluru came together at the Bishop Jathanna Auditorium, Karnataka Theological College (KTC), Balmatta, to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed — a milestone celebrating faith, unity, and the enduring foundation of Christian doctrine. The event, themed “Celebrating Faith that Unites Us,” was jointly organised by the Ecumenical Commission of the Diocese of Mangalore, the Mangalore Christian Council, the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights, St Joseph Inter-Diocesan Seminary (Jeppu), and Karnataka Theological College.

The commemoration was presided over by Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore. Rev. Fr Rupesh Madtha, Secretary of the Ecumenical Commission and Mangalore Christian Council, welcomed the gathering, following which the dignitaries inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp, symbolising shared faith and collective witness.

Theological Reflections on the Nicene Creed

Delivering the keynote address, Rev. Dr Prof. Dexter S. Maben, Presbyter of the CSI–Karnataka Central Diocese and Visiting Professor at UTC, Bengaluru, traced the Nicene Creed’s historical and theological roots. He described the collective affirmation “We believe” as a profound statement of communal faith that challenges rising individualism, emphasising the Creed’s relevance to contemporary Christian identity and unity.

Rev. Dr Alexander Kalarikkal, Director of St Joseph’s Institute of Theology, Jeppu, highlighted the Creed as a foundational expression of Christian belief and a living testament to the Church’s continuity. He noted that the teachings embedded within the Creed preserve the wisdom of the early Church Fathers and uphold the faith across generations.

A Creed for All Time

In his presidential address, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha reaffirmed the Nicene Creed’s timeless significance. “The great and unique Creed preserved by the Church down the ages cannot be suppressed. It will be preserved for eternity, for ever and ever,” he said, underscoring its enduring power as a unifying profession of faith.

Ecumenical Participation and Unity

Reflecting the spirit of unity, the event brought together leaders from diverse Christian traditions, including Rt Rev. Hemachandra Kumar (Bishop, CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese), Most Rev. Dr James Patteril (Bishop-elect, Syro-Malabar Diocese of Belthangady), Rev. Fr S. Charles (Diocesan Vicar, Believers Eastern Church), Rev. Prabhuraj M (CSI representative), Rev. Goldin Bangera (ecumenical collaborator), and Dr Sebastian K. V (ecumenical scholar).

The organisers felicitated the newly elected Bishop of Belthangady, Most Rev. Dr James Patteril, in recognition of his leadership. Rev. Dr H. M. Watson, Principal of KTC, moderated the proceedings with scholarly precision.

Strong Institutional Participation

The programme witnessed vibrant participation from priests, religious sisters, lay faithful, and seminarians from St Joseph Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Jeppu, and Karnataka Theological College, Balmatta, reflecting the community’s shared commitment to ecumenical engagement.

The event concluded with a cultural performance by students of the participating institutions. Rev. Dr Rajesh Rosario, Rector of St Joseph Seminary, Jeppu, proposed the vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of organisers, guests, and participants while reaffirming the importance of ongoing ecumenical collaboration.

— by Fr Anil Fernandes, CCC