Mangalore diocese to build homes for poor

This ‘Rome of the East’ known for its religious fervour has taken another step towards binding the communities together.

On its 125th year (post centenary silver jubilee), Mangalore Catholic Diocese started to build 160 houses for the poor in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in Karnataka and Kasargod district in Kerala.

The first of these houses was donated to the family of Emilda at Maroli in Mangalore on Sunday.

The jubilee committee of the diocese, headed by the bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, has plans to build houses for the poorest of the poor in the three districts.

“Caste and community were not the criteria, but the economic condition of the family was. We have told all the 160 parishes coming under the diocese in these three districts to scout for the poorest of the poor, irrespective of their community and caste. Whoever qualifies will get the house,” he said.

Sushil Noronha, secretary of the committee, said the first house was built at a cost of Rs2.2 lakh.

“In some cases, we expect the amount to go up. In many cases, parishes have collected enough money to build a second house for the poor in their respective parishes. In such cases, two poor families will get houses,” he added.