Hi George: After reems of posts telling us that the Goan Chruch and the Catholic Church in general reeks and stinks on multiple issues, you are now making a good case for a Goan Pope. And telling us what a good job and resume Cardinal Ivan Dias has done.
Are you just converted or Are you on Feni now or then?:=)) Regards, GL ---- George Pinto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 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. PeterÂs 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,
