The chapel is situated in the premises of Our Lady of Mercy Church, Falnir in Ullal, where St Joseph Vaz served as a parish priest for four years (1681-84) and three other parishes in the diocese. He was also the administrator. During his tenure, he was taken by vandals those days to be assassinated on a hill here however, was spared due to a miracle, according to local priests here.
The old chapel existed in the premises of the main church for several years and was renovated recently and devoted to St Joseph Vaz after the Goan saint’s canonisation in January this year.
“Certainly this is not a nice thing that has happened under the prevailing circumstances in the nation. I strongly condemn the incident and urge authorities to see that the vandals are brought to book immediately,” Bishop of Mangalore Aloysius D’Souza stated demanding immediate action against the vandals.
Bishop of Belgaum Peter Machado too expressed shock over the incident stating that Christians in Karnataka are totally uncomfortable and condemn the attack in strong words.
Meanwhile, editor of Raknno weekly Fr Francis Rodrigues told Herald that Catholics in the diocese are shocked and irate over the incident and have submitted a memorandum to health minister U T Khader who along with local MLA J R Lobo visited the premises. An enquiry has been initiated in the incident.
“We hold St Joseph Vaz in high esteem as he has served our diocese when Mangalore had only three churches. Catholics in Mangalore are aggrieved by the incident. Since the church is located in an isolated place, indecent incidents of drug peddlers misusing the premises were reported on earlier occasions to the police,” Fr Rodrigues said and added that Bishop’s house was receiving calls from all over showing concern over the incident.
