The contribution of the Christian church in social and charitable work in India, especially in education and health sectors has been particularly noteworthy, he said.
Inaugurating the valedictory ceremony of the Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK) here, he said, "Our land is blessed to have almost all the great religions coexisting peacefully and prospering here for centuries. Members of the Catholic community are fully integrated in the national mainstream and they have served the nation with great distinction in every sphere of life,"
It had also focused on supporting the local culture, including Konkani language and literature, music and fine arts and had been acting as an effective vehicle for uniting the Catholic community and providing it a coherent voice on issues of interest and concern, he said.
He appreciated the work done by CASK over the last century and expressed the hope that it would continue on the path of selfless service in future.