SEPTEMBER 7/14/30, 2016
Mangalore: Catholic worship of Ganesha, the elephant-God
The Mangalore incident is NOT a one-off thing.
As we can see from the following files, worship of Ganesha is rampant among our “Catholic” religious across the nation, in seminaries, in religious orders and in different dioceses. Even a Cardinal is guilty of it:
MUMBAI: CARDINAL IVAN DIAS LIGHTS A LAMP FOR THE HINDU DEITY GANESHA JULY 2011
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/CARDINAL_IVAN_DIAS_LIGHTS_A_LAMP_FOR_THE_HINDU_DEITY_GANESHA.doc
MUMBAI: THE ST PIUS X SEMINARY CELEBRATES HINDU DEITY GANESHA 9 FEBRUARY 2013
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_ST_PIUS_X_SEMINARY_CELEBRATES_HINDU_DEITY_GANESH.doc
TAMIL NADU CLERGY VENERATE THE HINDU DEITY GANESHA 22 FEBRUARY 2014
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/TAMIL_NADU_CLERGY_VENERATE_THE_HINDU_DEITY_GANESHA.doc
GOA: PILAR PRIEST FR PETER CARDOZO VENERATES THE HINDU DEITY GANESHA FEBRUARY 2015
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/PILAR_PRIEST_FR_PETER_CARDOZO_VENERATES_THE_HINDU_DEITY GANESHA.doc
INDIAN CLERGY OBSESSED WITH THE HINDU DEITY GANESHA FEBRUARY 2015
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/INDIAN_CLERGY_OBSESSED_WITH_THE_HINDU_DEITY_GANESHA.doc
MUMBAI: FR JOE PEREIRA YOGA GURU CELEBRATES NAVRATRI AND GANESHOTSAV 8 SEPTEMBER 2016
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/FR_JOE_PEREIRA_YOGA_GURU_CELEBRATES_NAVRATRI_AND_GANESHOTSAV.doc
VASAI PRIEST FR THOMAS DSOUZA WORSHIPS GANESHA 15 SEPTEMBER 2016
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/VASAI_PRIEST_FR_THOMAS_DSOUZA_WORSHIPS_GANESHA.doc
Psalm 95:5
For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils…
The Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible
Psalm 96:5
For all other gods are worthless idols…
(Even the syncretistic) St. Pauls 2008 New Community Bible
St. Paul’s teaching on Christians’ being “all things to all men” does not give licence to believers to participate in idol worship and pagan rituals, no matter what some liberal or modernist interpretations might say even using a sentence or two from Nostra Aetate (#2) or other Pontifical Documents in isolation from the context.
I prefer to reflect on our ‘jealous’ God’s many warnings to His Chosen People especially in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. He wanted the people of Israel to maintain not their racial purity but also their spiritual purity. He knew that any interest by the Israelites in the religious activities of the neighbouring tribes would lead to the assimilation of their rituals, practices and even adoption of their gods, and to monumental disaster to the Jewish people, and this is exactly what happened several times over.
“You will be lured into following them*.
Do notinquire regardingtheir gods, ‘How did these nations worship their gods? I, too, would do the same’.” Deuteronomy 12:30, New American Bible
*The New Jerusalem Bible: “Beware of being entrapped into copying them.”
Whenever that passage comes to my mind, I like to imagine that God was saying “Do notEVENinquire regarding their gods.”
The Philippines Bishops’ Conference’s Christian Community Bible translation reads as “Do notlook attheir gods, saying…”
The Knox Translation, Catholic, 1955, reads “Do nothanker aftertheir observances.”
Since God does not change and truth does not change — though the ‘father of lies’ manifests his evil designs in different disguises and through different means according to the times to deceive those people of God who are unwary — do not God’s warnings hold true even today? Inculturation and interreligious dialogue can be instruments of witnessing to Jesus Christ and His Gospel (John 14:6, Matthew 28: 19, 20) and herald God’s Kingdom on earth, but sadly they are being grossly abused by the clergy who end up paying obeisance to pagan deities such as Ganesh (Ganesha) or Ganpati (Ganapati) or Vinayakar (in Tamil Nadu).
The present report shows how widespread this spiritual depravity is in Catholic Mangalore, and the danger posed to the souls of our children and grandchildren through the Hinduisation of the Church in India.
Images from the following article (on page 3) have been circulating on WhatsApp.
They were emailed to me by concerned Catholics and I was able to access the original article and the rest of the images from Daijiworld Media Pvt. Ltd. which is owned by Walter Nandalike (Walter D’Souza) of Mangalore, Karnataka , , , , .
I also received phone calls from incensed Catholics asking me to report this event.
Even more shocking than D’Souza’s proud reporting of this blasphemous and heretical event is that not one of the scores of Mangalorean Catholic readers’ comments had a word of criticism for it. Instead they acclaimed and welcomed it. The approvers included a priest. Those Catholics, especially those in the social media and positions of authority who elected to remain silent must know they are as responsible before God for the souls that are being lost as the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes against Him.
I have reproduced herein a few of the photographs that accompanied this article and a few selected responses to it.
In the Kannada language Daijiworld YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvxrquzxj3A 04:21, one can watch the nuns of the order of the Little Flower of Bethany (BS), Santacruz Convent in Kulshekar, Mangalore and the Order of Discalced Carmelite (OCD) priests (already heavily into the propagation of yoga) of the Infant Jesus Shrine in Bikarnakatte, Mangalore come with offerings of roses and fruits for the idol of Ganesha (01:25) and receiving gifts from it in return (02:32) and getting Hindu charms tied on their wrists (03:44).
Christian priests, nuns attend RSS Ganeshotsava celebrations at Sanganiketan
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=412927
Mangaluru, September 6, 2016
After Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Mangaluru unit extended invitation for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations organized by Ganeshotsava Samithi of Sanganiketan, priests from Infant Jesus Shrine Bikarnakatta and nuns from Santacruz Convent Kulshekar attended Ganeshotsava and exchanged the greetings here on Tuesday September 6.
Infant Jesus Shrine Bikarnakatta director Fr Elias D' Souza, deputy director Fr Prakash D' Cunha and Santacruz Convent nuns Sr. Nimpla, Sr. Gladys, Sr. Florita and Sr. Denistia were among the Christian delegation that attended the celebrations.
Speaking on this occasion V Nagaraj, Kshetriya Sanghachalak of RSS, said “We really feel happy after the Christian priests and nuns are taking part in precious occasion of Ganeshotsava at Sanganiketan. For the growth of country, there should be a communal harmony in society. Our method of worshiping may be different. As per the Hindu thought, any form of worshiping will reach God. Our motto is to unite the entire society and work for the nation. We are happy that Christian brothers and sisters visited the Ganeshotsava celebrations and wished us well."
Deputy Director of Infant Jesus Shrine Fr Prakash D’Cunha speaking on this occasion said "Three days ago RSS representatives came to us and invited for this occasion. As the symbol of harmony, we visited here today. The message that we want to give is that, we all want to live united. We want harmony and peace. We thank them for inviting us for this occasion. Let us respect and love each other."
Guruprasad RSS Saha-Pranth-Pracharak, Sunil Acharya Mangaluru Mahanagara Saha Sanghachalak Prakash PS, RSS Pranthya Samparka Pramukh Chandra Babu, RSS Vibagh Pracharak Capt. Brijesh Chowta, BJP leader Franklyn Monteiro and others were present.
Above: The two images circulating on WhatsApp
Partaking of the food in all probability offered (prasada) to the deity
Some of the “Catholic” kudos that poured in:
Lancy Noronha,Bellore, Wednesday, September 07, 2016
Good gesture really!! Wonderful and appreciate it.
We too invite them for our "NATIVITY FEAST" and to dine together as one family.
This is the true love of GOD which taught all of us and world by "MOTHER -SAINT TERESA"
Oswald & Teresa Pais,Bendur, Wednesday, September 07, 2016
Really appreciated the move taken By the RSS and the Christian Community. This is the way we all have to live in this beautiful World. Hats off to the Organizers and also who accepted the Invite. Let us all live in peace and harmony.
M. D’Souza,Mangalore/USA, Wednesday, September 07, 2016
I personally know Franklin Monteiro, my classmate in high school. Hard working person. Always helpful no matter which religion, caste you belong to. BJP should recognise his hard work and social service. Franklin good job. Carmelite Priests and sisters big applause to you all.
Dr. Cajetan Coelho,Goa, India, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Festivities bring people together. Happy feast.
George D’Souza,Niddel, Kulshekar, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
All of us worship one god almighty. May he bless us.
John,Udupi, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
This is what is required today! If we can live harmoniously, then we can lead the world. Great gesture by everyone involved!
Joe Gonsalves,Mangalore, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Indeed a great gesture on the part of the priests and nuns to participate at the Sanganiketan. It is people like these who make life simple and easy for all. In the eyes of God all are alike and this is amply projected to the pubic (sic) by these priests and nuns. It is people like these who make world A BETTER PLACE TO DWELL IN
Edward Maben,Mangalore/Bangalore, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Festivals of any religion in Mangalore was always our collective celebration. Looking at Dasara in Mangalore, we collectively feel proud that our city hosts one of the best Dasara festivals in the country. As a kid I remember taking part in the tiger dance. Now when I go to a friend’s wedding outside Mangalore, I dance the tiger dance, because that is the dance form of my home town. It feels so good to see all of us taking part in each other’s celebrations. I am a proud Mangalorean. May God bless our city and may he grant us the peace happiness and wisdom to coexist and celebrate together. Happy and blessed Ganesh Chaturti to all of us. Ganesha is definitely smiling!!!
John Tauro,M'luru / Kuwait, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
The photos made me emotional. Memories of those good old school days came back when neighbours and classmates used to invite us for Ganesh Chaturthi and Gokul Ashtami, those visits to nearby temples during Jaatre or car festivals, etc.
Aaron,Mangalore, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Good move. Very good gesture. Jai Ganesha. Happy Ganesha Chaturthi to all.
James D’Souza,Mangalore, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
HATS OFF. This is the PEACE and HARMONY
Lydia Lobo,Kadri, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
I feel so good about it. Felt very sentimental. This should continue for centuries ahead!
Fr. Victor Machado,Mangalore/Tanzania, Tuesday, September 06, 2016
I have either organized or participated many of these inter-religious meets. Believe me, the joy on such occasions is explainable. Perhaps it is somewhat the same in heaven where all of us will be one with the heavenly Father without distinction as to caste or creed. Hats off to the RSS dignitaries who extended the invitation and the reverend fathers and sisters who responded to the same.
UPDATE
The words in Hindi read: SAINT PIUS COLLEGE. The picture was taken in September 2012
The St. Pius X College, Goregaon (East), Mumbai, the Bombay archdiocesan seminary, greets the citizens of Mumbai on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. The rector of the seminary is Auxiliary Bishop Agnelo Gracias who is also Professor of Systematic Theology. As Fr. Agnelo Gracias, he was rector from 1985 to 1993.
Who is Ganesha, and what is the Ganesh Chaturthi festival about?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesh_Chaturthi EXTRACT
'Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated on the birthday (rebirth) of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati.
It is believed that Lord Ganesh bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees during this festival. It is the day Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods, barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture* or at the start of travel.
*Vathapi Ganapathim Bhajeham is a favourite choice for singing at the commencement of any Hindu religious programme to obtain the blessings of Ganapati/Ganesha.
About 125 Bishops of the Latin Rite in India, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) held their biennial meeting 6-12 January 2011 at the Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee, Chennai.
“Catechetical Education” was the theme of the meeting.
The seven-day plenary began January 7. On January 9, the prelates attended a public reception by the Madras-Mylapore archdiocese at which Tamil Nadu state Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was invited to preside. While Karunanidhi is an avowed atheist, the Bishops are the successors of St. Peter and owe sole spiritual allegiance to Jesus Christ.
But guess who welcomed the atheist and the disciples of Christ at the public reception at the Salesian St. Bede’s School grounds in Santhome?
The Hindu deity Ganapati did.
The procession of Bishops led by the Apostolic Nuncio to India, Salvatore Pennacchio to the venue from the Cathedral Basilica of St. Thomas to the unmistakable Carnatic music of Vathapi Ganapathim Bhajeham!!!
UPDATE
Goodwill Gesture: Christian priests, nuns visit Sanghaniketan; make offerings to Lord Ganesha
http://www.mangaloretoday.com/main/Goodwill-Gesture-Christian-priests-nuns-visit-Sanghaniketan-make-offerings-to-Lord-Ganesha.html
Mangaluru, September 6, 2016
In a great gesture of goodwill and communal harmony the priests of Infant Jesus Shrine at Bikarnakatte and the nuns of Kulshekhar Sacred Heart Convent visited Sanghaniketan on September 6, Tuesday and made offerings to the idol of Lord Ganesha which has been installed and worshipped there as part of the 69th Sarvajanika Ganeshotsava.
On this occasion sweets were also distributed on behalf of the Ganeshotsava Samithi to the visitingteam members. The visiting team offered fruits and a Banaras silk saree to the Lord.
Fr Eliyas D’Souza, Director of Infant Jesus Shrine, Fr. Prakash D’Cunha, Deputy Director, Sister Florita of Sacred Heart Convent, Sr. Dionisa, Sr. Gladys and others were present. […]
Infant Jesus priests attend Ganesh festival
http://mattersindia.com/2016/09/infant-jesus-priests-attend-ganesh-festival/
Mangaluru, September 8, 2016
Three days after receiving personal invitation, priests of Infant Jesus Church and nuns of Santa Cruz Convent in Kulashekar attended Ganesh festival at Sanghaniketan, the local office of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in Mangalore.
A few representatives of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on September 3 had invited Infant Jesus Church Director Elias D’Souza and other members of the church for the Sarvajanika Ganesh Utsav celebrations at the Sanghaniketana. The initiative was to create bonhomie between the two communities.