Events

Late Bishop Basil Memorial Lecture – "Anchoring Our Hope in Christ"

13-02-2025

On February 13, 2025, the Late Bishop Basil Memorial Lecture was held on the theme "Anchoring Our Hope in Christ." The event began with a tribute to the esteemed Bishop Basil D'Souza, who faithfully served the Diocese of Mangalore for 31 years. His unwavering faith and dedicated service have left a lasting legacy for future generations.

 

The keynote speaker for the lecture was Rev. Fr Ratan Almeida, OCD, while the session was moderated by Rev. Fr Praveen Joy Saldana. Fr  Ratan Almeida spoke profoundly on the theme of hope, emphasizing that as we celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope (from December 24, 2024, to the Feast of Epiphany in 2026), we must understand that hope is not mere optimism but a theological virtue—a firm trust in God's promises. He reminded the audience that our greatest hope is Jesus Christ and encouraged them not to be discouraged by the current global challenges, such as wars, economic struggles, and injustice.

 

Quoting Pope Francis' Papal bull Spes Non Confundit ("Hope Does Not Disappoint"), Fr. Almeida reaffirmed that true Christian hope is steadfast and transformative. The lecture concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where attendees actively participated in discussions. Overall, it was a fruitful and enlightening gathering, providing deep insights into the virtue of hope.