April 17, 2005 While some Goan Catholics sleep or are indifferent, history beckons. After 500 years of devoted service to the Catholic Church with very little to show in return, one of their own stands at the foot of St. Peter�s throne. With a little help from his fellow Cardinals, Cardinal Ivan Dias could be seated on that throne in the next few days. Whatever one thinks of him and his views, this is a monumental opportunity. I do not believe many Goan Catholics grasp this rare moment and it may not come again anytime soon.
There is no point in counting the odds or wondering what the betting line says who the next Pope will be. This moment is bigger than Cardinal Dias, it puts Goa and India on the world map like no other modern event could. It will say we are equal to the best and one birthed from our loins is now Pope. Collectively, we become the modern day equivalent of the first disciples. While some may reject such an honor and all its religious trappings and human rituals, it is not a gift-horse to be dismissed easily. The Goan and Indian psyche needs to be further elevated after its bout with colonialism. This is also about us, about making post-colonial amends as much as it is about electing a Catholic Pope. The two great challenges of our times are war and poverty. In India and in his lifetime, Cardinal Dias has seen both. He is immensely qualified to deal with the challenges of our times. Whatever one thinks of the Papacy and its limitations as an Institution, now is the time for Goans to dream big. If we believe, it may just happen. Perhaps God is a Goan and the prayers of a devoted people will be answered. One of their own may be called this week to be the Vicar of Christ. Someone will be elected and that someone may be Cardinal Dias, in less than 24 hours! Addressing a Goan American audience five years ago, I wrote we need a Goan President, a Goan Supreme Court Justice, a Goan CEO of a major company (Victor Menezes could be considered to have filled that bill), and a Goan Pope. I thought then a Goan Pope would be the most difficult to achieve and certainly not in my lifetime. I hope I am proved very wrong this week. History beckons.... Regards, George Pinto
