Rameswaram fishermen invited to attend Katchatheevu festival
Justin Gnanaprakasam, Diocese Bishop of Jaffna Theological District, on Wednesday, invited the fishermen from Rameswaram to attend the annual St Antony’s Church festival at Katchatheevu, that would be celebrated on February 23 and 24.
By : migrator
Update: 2017-12-27 19:54 GMT
Chennai
Last year, fishermen from Rameswaram did not attend the festival as fisherman Bridjo was allegedly shot dead in midsea by Sri Lankan forces. Also, permission was given only for select boats to attend the event.
This was done purposely to minimise the number of fishermen attending the festival, said the fishermen.
Fishermen from Tamil Nadu should sink the differences and participate in large numbers in the festival, said Justin Gnanaprakasam.
Though the festival is held in a grand manner, basic amenities are not provided for the visitors, rued the fishermen.
“Drinking water is a problem. There are no proper toilets too in the island.
Therefore, visitors are forced to use the open space. There is no proper space for them to take rest in the night and we have to sleep on the ground,” said the fishermen.
Both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments should take steps to provide basic amenities for the visitors who attend the festival. Also, they want a hall for people to take rest in the night, demanded the fishermen.
Flag ceremony
On the first day, flag would be hoisted in the evening and it will be followed by special mass in the Church. On the second day, a mass and prayer meeting would be conducted as early as at 6 am.
This will be followed by a car festival in which the statue of St Antony, placed in a car, will be pulled by devotees around the church.
The hoisted flag would then be lowered to mark the end of the festival.
A new building for St Antony’s Church was constructed in 2016 and the consecration ceremony of the Church was conducted in December 2016.
Following that grand celebrations were also held.
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