Oh Lord, Kindly Allow Us to Pray in Konkani!
Posted on : July 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Canara Konkani Catholics aka Mangalorean Konkani Catholics live in large numbers not just in coastal districts, but also in many regions of Karnataka. Particularly in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Mysuru and Bengaluru Dioceses, Konkani laities are in good numbers. People in these Dioceses have been demanding Sunday Mass in their mother tongue – Konkani. Now this movement is reaching its crux.
Even though the Vatican gave green signal to conduct Liturgy in vernacular languages, long back in 1965 itself, during the Second Vatican Council, Christians in these regions remained unfortunate. They were denied their fundamental right to have Mass and other prayers in their mother tongue. The outcome of this denial has been very disastrous for Konkani. Current generation kids have become strangers to Konkani, their community’s language, tradition and culture.
While the then Mangalore and Karwar Dioceses allowed Konkani to be their main language and inducted it into the Liturgy, then Chikkamagaluru Diocese (including current Shivamogga at that time), in spite of overwhelming majority of Konkani speakers, denied Konkani into Altar. Then Bishop Alphonse Mathias being a pure Konkani son, was determined to keep Konkani far away from Liturgy wholeheartedly! His successor Bishop J.B. Sequeira too followed the same reluctant policy and refused Konkani.
Similarly happened in Bangalore and other Dioceses.
Though it was very late, few leaders realised the setback and damage around some 20 years back. Since one and half decade, it has become a strong movement. When the Church did not listen, it was inevitable to take legal a path. Bishops and priests, mostly Konkani, are still reluctant for Konkani Mass. Sad irony!!
After collective efforts few parishes are given permission for Konkani Mass in these Dioceses. But still more to achieve. In many parishes, where Konkani Catholics are in large numbers, yet to get this privilege. They have been waiting, demanding and fighting for this, patiently, since years.
Legal battles are also yielding decisive success. An objection filed by the Bishop against Konkani Liturgy, was rejected by Chikkamagaluru Court, recently. Also, the High Court of Karnataka has upheld the Bengaluru Civil Court’s order in favour of Konkani Mass. Yet, adamant Bishops and priests are not in favour of Konkani people’s legitimate demand.
Many might be thinking why all this mess or quarrel in the name of language! There is nothing wrong. Konkani people from the parishes where they are in solid numbers, asking Mass in their loving language. They are just demanding what they need. They are asking for the rights given to them by the Vatican, highest body of Catholic Church and also by Indian Law. They never asked to deny others’ rights. While people from different languages get their basic rights, same is demanded by Konkani devotees.
Result of denying Konkani in liturgy has many serious outcomes. In earlier years families, while praying at home, during rosary, used Konkani only. But gradually, since catechism was taught in Kannada, kids could not cope up with Konkani prayers. Later on at many houses, even parents had to shift to Kannada prayers due to their children’s sake. This has put Konkani, their loving mother tongue & natural favorite language, at risk of diminishing. A wonderful culture was made to suffer, brutally.
Bengaluru Arch Bishop, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru Bishops, at least now, should let people have their genuine demands fulfilled. There is no meaning in being stubborn against a justifiable demand. Moreover, denying Liturgy in mother tongue, a majority community in respective parishes, is just disobeying Vatican’s guidelines. Also it is against the Indian Constitution. Hence these Bishops and respective Priests must allow Konkani Mass where people demand for it.
This article is published in July 2025 issue of Mangalore Monthly.
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It is right to demand our mother language in our religious Prayer too. We all have to come under one platform and work on this.