Mumbai News: Worli Village Unveils 20-Foot Crucifix In Memory Of Benefactor Catherine Baptista Quinny

Residents of Worli village inaugurated a crucifix on the seashore in memory of local benefactor Catherine Baptista Quinny, who lived more than a hundred years ago.

The wooden crucifix, created by the renowned Vasai-based sculptors the Sequeiras, is 20 feet high, making it visible to motorists on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Bishop Thomas D'Souza of Vasai inaugurated the monument on May 8.

Ronald Albuquerque, a member of the local community, said that Quinny, a member of the East Indian Catholic community, had donated her property for the welfare of the residents of Worli Koliwada, Worli village, and members of Sacred Heart Church, Worli.

"The interest from the corpus created by her property is used for the educational needs of the Koliwada residents. In April 2024, we decided to create a memorial in her name," said Albuquerque.

Construction started last year with financial contributions from the local community, including non-Catholics, said Wilson Worlikar, trustee of the Catherine Baptista Quinny Trust. The cross was sculpted locally in the compound of a local dargah.

Julio Ribeiro, former Commissioner of Police, was part of the group that planned and executed the work, including the legal permissions.On Thursday, nearly a thousand gathered for the religious service in the evening. The local Christian community is proud of the memorial.

"It will be like a beacon on the Worli shore. It is also a symbol of the existence of an old Christian Koli community in Worli," said Vaibhav Worlikar, a resident.