Mangaluru: Christian leaders belonging to various denominations of Karnataka region today submitted a memorandum to J R Lobo MLA, Chairman of the Legislature committee on the welfare of backward classes and minorities, seeking financial aid and other benefits from government for Christians to travel to Holy lands including Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Mount Sinai.

The memorandum said the number of Christians from the state visiting these holy places had gone up significantly in the last few years.

Christians being the second biggest minority community of Karnataka, should also get travel benefits the way Muslims get for their Haj pilgrimage, it said.

Jayakar Samartha, representing CSI, Karnataka South, Dr Suranjan Maben, Sashipal Shettiyan and Fr J B Crasta, parish priest of Holy Rosary Cathedral, MP Noronha secretary of Diocese committee, Fr William Menezes, PRO of Mangaluru Diocese and Anil Lobo from Catholic Sabha were part of the delegation that submitted the memorandum at the Chairman's office here.