http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=122912
Goan identity faces risk of obliteration, says Archbishop NT Staff Reporter Panaji, Dec 28: The Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Patriarch of the East Indies, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, today said that 'the private plans and the pet projects of those in power' are resulting in neglect of genuine human development and furthermore, the 'Goyachi Asmitai' or the 'Goanness of Goa' is exposed to the risk of being obliterated. Addressing a gathering of invitees during the annual civic reception on the occasion of Christmas, at the Archbishop's House, the Archbishop said that the year 2006 has seen an increasing number of revolts from ordinary grassroots people expressing their profound disillusionment with those in power. "Violent outbursts in the villages of Saleli and Sanvordem and grassroots revolts in the villages of Kundaim, Chicalim, Assagao, St Estevem and other villages, have all culminated in the massive December 18 Save Goa campaign against the Regional Plan 2011," he observed, adding "These are indications of an increasing disconnection between the aspirations of the people and, shall I say, the private plans and the pet projects of those in power." The Governor, Mr S C Jamir, the Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Wilfred de Sousa and the Archbishop Emeritus, Rev Raul Gonsalves, were among those present on the occasion. It appears to us that the underlying problem is the erosion of moral and ethical values among many of those who have been elected to the legislative assembly as representatives of the people, the Archbishop said. "The common cry of the Goans nowadays is that selfish-minded politicians, in connivance with corrupt bureaucratic officials and pliant law enforcers, are out to sell Goa to the highest bidder," he observed. Speaking further, the Archbishop said, "A fact that cannot be denied is that many of our politicians and even those who go by the name of public servants have been exploiting the public of Goa for their own personal or party vested interests." "We would want some of our leaders to know that their selfish politics are often concerned with issues that, may be, will get them popularity for the moment, but that, in the long run, will actually bring Goa to ruin," he predicted. Questioning whether the state really need multi-crore projects more than the safety of human life from road accidents, from polluted drinking water, from vector diseases and from stinking piles of garbage, the Archbishop said that the pitiable conditions in which most of our public hospitals and health institutions are found, especially with regard to sanitation and hygiene, call for most urgent attention on the part of the concerned authorities. "The provision of these basic amenities to the generality of our people, especially the poor and the underprivileged should be seen as a precision thermometer of the development of our state, much more than high profile mega-projects for the benefit of a few," he maintained. "In this context," Rev Felipe Neri Ferrao said, "it would be pertinent to recall what Pope Benedict XVI said, in his joint address given just two weeks ago, to six new ambassadors to the Vatican, namely, that political commitment should be understood as a service to persons and not as a way of guaranteeing privileges and power to politicians." "He added that the leaders of civil society should learn to listen to their people and respond to their needs," the Archbishop said, "My call to all of you today is the same, please listen to the people of Goa; it will be sheer blindness if you do not." As the Archbishop of Goa, I have no intention of standing here in self-righteous judgment on our society, as if the Church is not part of this society, he said, pointing out "We have to admit that those who are responsible for the erosion of those moral and ethical values that underpin the genuine human development process in Goa are often members of the Catholic Church." "As an institution, we have to recognise that, in many aspects, we have to put our own house in order," the Archbishop said in retrospection, "That is why we said earlier that the Church and, for that matter, any religious community in our state gets unwarily affected and even infected by the policies of the social system." It is only when we work together, in mutual collaboration and solidarity, cutting across party lines and religious divides, that the virus infecting our beloved Goan society can be destroyed and the common good or the aspirations of our people can be truly fostered, he observed. "I say it again, the Church in Goa is only too willing to be an active partner in this collaborative effort for regeneration," the Archbishop offered. "On the other hand, we also have some concerns that I would sincerely like to share with you this evening, one of them is with regard to our state elections," he said, adding "As always, such elections pose a challenge to the Church to educate and guide her members on how to exercise their vote judiciously." "This is the time for the Church to make an effective contribution towards her social mission, in the service of the genuine development of the society in Goa," Rev Felipe Neri Ferrao observed, "Because the Church, as an institution, is concerned with political issues and policies that affect all human persons in society, without becoming herself politicised or partisan, that is, without supporting one political party or one economic system over the other." "Such decision is left to the conscience of individual Christians," he said, "In fact, the Church is sometimes criticised for interfering in politics; some people, including politicians, would prefer the Church, as a religious institution, to occupy herself strictly with religious affairs." "What we want to highlight here is that the Church, over and above her strictly missionary and religious mandate, sees it as her sacred duty towards humanity to help in the integral development of the human person, that is, social, political, economical and cultural, not to speak of the moral and spiritual development," the Archbishop mentioned. It is precisely because of this that the Church has a wide network of educational, social and health care institutions that help promote this wholesome human and social development in our state, he concluded. -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
