Hi Mario: Thanks for reading my post on this thread and responding to it. From your past posts and views on this subject, you are far from being an apologist about caste attitudes among Goans. In fact, one could describe you as very hostile to anyone who may demonstrate an inclination to caste considerations as your post below and others suggest.
Yet, in your response and other posts, you have never claimed the existence of casteism in the Goa's Catholic Church in the period you grew up (and since) in Goa and Bombay. I hope Cornell who spent much of his life in East Africa and England will learn from you (and me) - individuals who were a lot closer to round zero. Now if some native Goans can provide statistics and factual patterns of behavior (not isolated instances, personal grudges or preconceptions), that may bring all of us up to speed on a subject that so far has raised more heat than light. But perhaps if Cornell and others feel there is casteism in Goa's Catholic church and DISCRIMINATION OF LOWER CASTE and want do something about it (rather than just talk and write), they can offer financially support for the cost of seeking vocations and training of lower caste priests in Goa's seminary. Perhaps Goa Sudharop can help channel the tax-free contribution to this worthwhile cause. I wonder if George Pinto of California (who has also expressed an opinion on this subject) is reading this. Now to the issue of individuals inquiring about caste at the time of marriage. I would submit to you that THIS DOES OCCUR. Now if that is the only factor that people (parents) take into consideration, then a prospective recipient should be happy that they did not receive a soirik from this family. Because this is likely a very narrow-minded family and the new in-law especially from Canada would be better-off not having anything to do with these types. On the other hand, inquiries about caste can also one of very many many questions one asks about an individual. I would call it 'due diligence'. Should not one inquire about education, job, place of residence, school, college, personal habits, family background etc. and may even be good looks. Someone who does not have an attribute may complain equally loud about any of these inquiries. Now no one is perfect. All individuals are a balance. And to feel diffident for lack of an attribute is really a sign of (lack of) self-confidence and self-worth. In fact at an interview for a new job, one inquires about all and sundry - pleasant and unpleasant things about the employer and employee. Would not your curiosity interest you about the ethnic background of your employers, employees, co-workers or clients? Is there something wrong with that? Would you take or turn down the job just on that single factor - NO soiree! If you do, then it will be your loss. Finally a single guy explained why he was not married. Questioner: Why you are not married? He said: I am waiting for the prefect girl. Questioner: So did you not find any? He said: Yes I did find a few. Questioner: So what happened? He said: They wanted the perfect guy. Regards Gilbert Mario adds his 2 cents: My personal experience is that many Catholic Goans still have a strong preference for their "own caste" when it comes to their children's marriage partners, to the extent that there are still children who go along with this stuff in India or in the Diaspora. I am not aware of any circumstance other than marriage where the issue of caste is relevant among Catholic Goans. Gilbert: Please give me EXAMPLES OF TODAY of the above last statement. Please be sure to draw a cause and effect relation. No long explanations needed! Cornel: On another point, I believe that you are inclined to suggest, or at least, desperately want to believe, that all this evil caste business was a thing of the past, and if prevalent at all today, it is limited to a few. So let me provide you a brief response to this point. Firstly, Catholic Goa absolutely reeks of caste today as it has always done.
