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Karkal : The authorities of St Lawrence Church at Attur have decided to put in place certain guidelines so that only the truly deserving alms seekers get a share of the devotee’s offerings.

 The church had prohibited beggary in front of the church premises during the three-day fest that was held in January. Instead, the parish distributed devotees’ offerings to the beggars after the fest.

 This year, the shrine distributed Rs 9.10 lakh offerings to over a thousand beggars, who stood in queue to receive the alms. The sum differed based on their physical condition. Those who were deemed deserving by the authorities received more than Rs 1,000, and others received a minimum amount of Rs 250.

 Fr. George D’Souza, rector, St Lawrence Shrine, told TOI: "I was disheartened to see many daily wage earners and even some employed people waiting in the queue for alms. I was particularly appalled to see a woman, employed in a medical shop, seeking a share of the contribution from devotees. She may have monetary problems, but it was the absence of self-respect which hurt me. We will discuss with the Udupi Diocese Bishop and others to implement a system through which the alms reach only the truly deserving people.

 Last year 8.30 lakh was distributed among beggars, along with a sumptuous pulav meal. In 2013, the amount collected was Rs 7.18 lakh, which were distributed to 1,800 needy people.

 Fr. D’Souza was also dismayed to see that the pulav was wasted by people who came to seek alms. "Waste of anything, especially food, is criminal. It looks like they have come here only for money,’’ he said.

Rs. 9.1 lakh distributed to beggars after St. Lawrence Shrine feast.

A donation of Rs. 9.1 lakh, collected from devotees, was distributed to over 1,000 beggars at the St. Lawrence shrine at Attur village near Karkala on Friday.

The amount was collected from two money-collection boxes, which were kept near the shrine during the annual feast, which was held from January 25 to 29.

The boxes were kept specifically for the purpose of donating money, collected in the boxes, to the beggars as was being done after the annual feast.

The amount collected was distributed among the beggars depending on their needs or their disabilities. Besides this, the beggars were also given meals in the afternoon.

Begging is prohibited in the area during the annual feast at Attur.

Speaking to presspersons on the occasion, Rev. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Catholic Diocese, said that St. Lawrence had special compassion for the poor and his work was being carried on at the Attur shrine for many years.

It was not only after the annual feast, but also on other days that the needy and beggars were given help at the shrine.

“The shrine has also been providing money to the poor to build their houses or for the education of poor children. These programmes would be made more systematic in the coming years,” he said.

George D’Souza, Rector of St. Lawrence Shrine, Charles Louis, assistant priest, Richard Pinto, Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, John D’Silva, former Vice President, and others were present.