------------------------------------------------------------------------ Photos from Goa's 2009 mando festival: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/sets/72157622843319441/ Event on Wed, Thurs evening from 5 pm onwards, Kala Academy, Panaji-Goa
------------------------------------------------------------------------ No plan yet to make church artefacts burglar-proof TNN 10 December 2009, 06:36am IST PANAJI: The Goa archdiocese is baffled by the recent incidents of thefts of priceless antiques in its churches and chapels, but can hardly enforce any plan to protect the centuries-old work of art as implementation runs into a usual set of practical problems. "Preventive measures are needed because it is a syndicate, which is working clandestinely and targeting places of worship, especially those lying in isolation, and stealing invaluable works of art," said Fr Randal Barreto, a member of the diocesan commission for sacred art and heritage. Explaining that the church bodies and parishioners should draw an action plan to maintain security around churches and chapels, he said, "There should be an effort at grassroot level and among people to draw up an action plan to ensure security of artifacts which could be even the smallest of things." Another senior church official informed, "Many issues have been discussed at various levels in meetings with priests and others in the diocese, but they see practical problems in implementation, especially security aspects." The church plan envisages involving parishioners in protecting its treasures from the recurring problem of loss through burglaries. Says Fr Eusico Pereira, dean of Goa Velha deanery and parish priest of Neura, "We cannot keep outsiders because they cannot be trusted, whereas locals may be unwilling to take up the responsibility, though having a sacristan and his family around helps," Pointing out that statues have to be exposed for worship and cannot be kept hidden from public view for security reasons, a church official said, "It is difficult to keep the antiques under lock and key because they are meant for public worship." Another priest said, "The police on their patrol beat would also check at churches at night, and this they did for some time, but they cannot do this every day of the year." Police sources said the matter was also discussed at government level, but enforcing any plan is not easy. Agreed chief minister Digambar Kamat, "Various suggestions had been put forward to provide security at church and temple premises in remote areas, but even police may find it difficult to authorize any groups because of problems related to implementation." Some feel that the casual attitude of the local church, including the parishioners, to maintenance of antiques in their churches works to the antique robbers advantage. "They also consider the people's consciousness about the value they attach to the antiques and sacred objects, and take advantage of the carelessness in maintenance," Barreto said. The need to study antiques and works of art is sorely felt. "It should be a team effort of the parish priest, heritage lovers, traditionalists and researchers to study scientifically the church and its centuries-old art and present it to parishioners to create awareness," Barreto opined. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/No-plan-yet-to-make-church-artefacts-burglar-proof/articleshow/5320948.cms
