An Open Letter to our Cardinal-to-Be Dear Archbishop,
A search online took me to the many confusing ways for aptly addressing a Cardinal. But, permit me to opt out of those. Not because your elevation in the Church is a few days away, but as a way of underlining How your simplicity and humility has touched people like me. I've been one of those whom you told, "Call me Father", not a long time back, and I will cherish that memory. On Sunday, much of Goa, I'd guess, was thrilled to realise that one of their very own was soon to become a Cardinal. It was as if their deep faith had been recognised, critiques of a Western-dominated Church somewhat blunted, and what might seem to be like trying times had also been acknowledged. People of my generation have accompanied your role in the Church. It seems like yesterday when you were installed in March 2004, as archbishop, if not mistaken, at the See Cathedral. (Or was that 1994, when you took over as auxiliary bishop? Time just flies...) A lot of people are going to say a lot of good things at a time like this. This you certainly deserve. But let me not waste this space by focussing on what many know. Instead, this could also be an excuse for stock-taking, for a look back at the recent past (and more remote periods), and for a commonman's visions of the future as far as Catholicism in Goa goes. Despite all the challenges, I am not one of those who sees a pessimistic future. At least not as long as the common people (leave aside our political class) keep their hearts simple and pure, stay honest in their dealings with their fellowmen of all faith, and keep their peace in this world as well. We were in school when the Church in Goa was in the throes of change in the uncertain years of the 1960s. The few printed records of those times don't tell the story adequately; but some senior to us still have sharp memories. Those were not easy times, and we too could feel the pressures on our elders then. Changing from being a Portuguese-run to a post-colonial Church was definitely not an easy task. With some limitiations, it has been done. Vatican II came along, the Church took to Konkani in a big way (maybe even overlooking the need for some linguistic diversity). It made some bold changes. For some, this was not enough. For others, it was too much. But then, as they say, you can't please all. Whatever the critics hold, there is also a half-filled glass there. Many things deserve to be appreciated. You yourself, your predecessor Archbishop Raul, have taken the community forward, spiritually as also in the real world. I'm sure Bishop Francisco Xavier da Piedade Rebello †, the apostolic administrator who retired in 1972, probably would have done the same. (I sound uncertain because he was before our times, maybe we need more writings on Church leaders, or probably I'm just ill-informed here.) Over the years, we've seen the Church transform. In the 1970s, priests came across as blunt, sometimes even arrogant. There was a fear then of activist stands. But change has come; up to a point. Critics like us have sometimes appreciated its stands on the environment, activism, and its willingness to speak out. For a Church which once was pro-status quo, it was willing to speak out, and pay the price. The willingness to speak out has brought the institution in conflict with some secular heads. This has resulted in unhelpful decisions, by the State, on issues like the Medium of Instruction. But, one could bet that more of the faithful are proud of how their Chuch works now, than it ever did in pre-1961 times, when it looked like an extension of the State. Without being too self-congratulatory, there is of course need for introspection, deep-thought and planning ahead. Our community is also facing a number of challenges, some not related to the Church as an institution, but which the Church can definitely play a role over. As of now, many Catholic Goans are being convinced that they have little to no future in their home-state and motherland. The push to out-migration is all-encompassing. If nobody can stop the desire to leave, can we ensure that out Daizpora retains their daiz, a link with home, and a desire to one day return as many other Indic communities do? The community seems to be flagging in building up a generation of leaders. In the 1960s and 1970s, we had leadership development programmes, and social activism trends. In the conflict between the two diverse roads, we seem to have largely given up on both. We are reminded that Goa has so many "Catholic" leaders, only when they commit some controversial deeds. They are in no way accountable to the community, but the community gets slurred when they defect, indulge in corruption or electoral practice, or seek to offer a secular mask to one party or the other. How do we get greater equality in the Church? Across genders and social classes... What about the achievements of the past, including the Church's role in promote music education? Can we dream of these.... Agreed that it's difficult to get institutions of higher learning to be set up and run by minority institutions in today's Goa. Even in deserving cases. But, in times when government jobs are accepting even fewer, some initiatives will need to be made. Even if these are community colleges, without any government approvals or funding, but with community support. The Church's role in healthcare in Goa has been minimal. Today, many private insitutions have entered the field, but mostly unaffordable. On a personal note, a couple of years ago, by some coincidence, both you and me ended up needing to visit the Sankara Nethralaya hospital in Chennai. At that stage, I marvelled at the Hindu religious leader, who created a vision, entrusted the hospital to be built by a young doctor (now an octogenarian), and ensured it had funding enough from philanthrophists. Sometimes, being a talented community with so many skills can almost seem like an unhelpful millstone. Why try to build the entire institution, when creating the vision could build exemplary giants like the Sankara? The biggest test the Church might have to face is how it gets entrapped into needless controversy and unnecessary disputes. We appreciate the responsibility with which such developments have been dealt with. No community needs to be provoked when someone else wants a skirmish -- for political or other purposes. Above all, the growing religious fundamentalism in India (and far beyond) has put pressures on all religious. How do we face the challenge, avoid closing our doors, and not becoming defensive about anything and everything? The moves towards openness brought in by the almost-likeable Francis in the Vatican is to be cherished. The challenge is to take that forward even when religion and history becomes and targets to score points over in our part of the world. There is other ground for concern too. Apart from challenges which we have not encountered yet, we have at least two big elephants in the room. Protecting of Church properties is one; there has been concerns voice over this. We have examples from places like Bombay-Mumbai, where the real estate sector is even more heated than Goa's. Jingling coins make us forget our conscience. All it takes is a few rotten apples to ruin an institution. The handling of sex-abuse is the other. Over both, our attitudes will shape the results. In the latter case, even being defensive (in the interest of simply protecting the institution) has simply proven to be too costly an approach. Without labouring these points, let me end as an ordinary citizen of Goa wishing you well. We hope for the best, and have good reason to expect a lot of good, and positive change, to come from this development. Father, go for it. We know you will make us all proud by your work, by your words and by your inspiration. Frederick Noronha [First published in The Goan, May 31, 2022.] ### *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Join a discussion on Goa-related issues by posting your comments on this or other issues via email to goa...@goanet.org See archives at http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/ *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-