George Pinto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > --- Jorge/Livia de Abreu Noronha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > It would be good to learn more about "the example of St Francis Xavier who > > made the effort to learn Konkani though he was a Spaniard". > > > Dear Jorge > > It is good to see you back on the internet. Welcome back! The post below was forwarded on a Goan > d-list recently. Since you are a historian and Goan scholar, can you address some of the issues > raised. Are they true? I have heard others who are occasionally critical of what SFX wrote about > Goans/Indians, especially in his letters. I am not a student of history but have some curiosity > now and then. > > Best regards, > George >
Dear George, Thank you for your welcome. I don't consider myself a historian - only a dedicated "student" of everything concerning Goan history and culture and the Konkani language. - As regards the post of Alvaro Peres da Costa (who is my brother-in-law, Livia's brother, and whom we call Alvito), I hadn't seen it because when I went to India in August I suspended my subscriptions to Goanet, TGF and other d-lists and only resumed them some time around December 8. I must study in some depth St. Francis Xavier's thought, feelings and attitudes (which I think will be possible by scrutinising the various letters he wrote), and only then I'll be in a position to comment. Please therefore be patient, and rest assured that I'll do it as soon as possible. The only thing I can say at the moment is that, of the ten years Xavier spent in the East, he hardly remained ten months in Goa; and that, as far as I know, he is not known as "Goencho Pai" but "Goencho Saib". Besides, I didn't read what Basilio Magno wrote. Best regards and a Holy and Joyful Christmas Season to you and all your dear ones, and a happy entry into the year 2004. - I wish the same to all Goanetters. Jorge > > From: "Alvaro Peres da Costa" > Date: Wed, 03 Dec 2003 06:39:09 +0000 > > I have a profound admiration for Basilio Magno's poetic and musical talent. > > Where I have a problem with him is in regard to some assumptions in his introductory words below. > He refers to Francis Xavier as "the Spanish priest who conquered the souls and hearts of a great > part of Goa.....But to us Goans he continues to be Goemcho Pai (Father of Goa)." > > Well, from my reading of, and interpretation from, reliable publications authored by reputable > sources, Francis Xavier's activies in Goa fell far short of endearing him to Goans. His > so-called "conquest" of the souls and hearts would be credible had it been devoid of coercion and > persecution bred out of zeal of the infamous and vexatious Spanish inquisition. > > Records talk of this disciple of Ignatius of Loyola as having been deputed to Goa to be the Pope's > > spy against the Portuguese authorities and clerics who were more humane and reluctant to have any > truck with the monstruously criminal Inquisition. Francis Xavier reported directly to the Pope in > > Rome and the (Portuguese) Heads of the Catholic Church in Goa were often the object of his > complaints to the Vatican. > > (Forcefully-)coverted Goans and their brain-washed descendants might have come to revere Francis > Xavier because he brought them "true faith", as they were indoctrinated to think. But there are > reported to be enough records to show how little was his activity amongst, and for, the Goans. > > To continue to talk about Francis Xavier as "Goencho Pai", even in these enlightened times when we > > know, or ought to know, better, is unlikely to advance our cause from most perspectives. He may > be "todde Goekarancho Pai" (i.e. some Goans' Father), but Goa's father he certainly is not. To > affirm to the contrary defies reality, for Catholic followers form only a minority of Goa's > population. Deduct from that minority those healthy skeptics who will have no bar of the > mythologising! > > To the extent that there are religiously-borne mistrusts currently in Goa, had the excesses > perpetrated under the orientation of Spanish (and to some extent, Italian)Jesuit missionaries in > Goa not coincided with the period of Portuguese rule, current perceptions, msiconceptions and > demonisation of the Portuguese would never have had a place in history. > > It is true that the Catholic church has apologised for the (mis-)deeds of the Inquisition. But > skeptics could be forgiven for thinking that retaining Francis Xavier as a saint is tantamount to > condemning Nazism but still upholding Adolf Hitler as a paragon. > > Alvito Peres da Costa > ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
