The attack on the house and other property of a person from Colva accused of
producing a controversial CD is to be condemned. Such means resorted to by so
called followers of Jesus Christ, that too during Christmas, and supposedly
provoked by lay church leaders is all the more deplorable. Are we any beter
than the Bajrang Dal, Ram Sena, Taliban and all such fanatical fringe elements
that suppress freedom of expression through terror. The hurt sentiments are
understandable but will violence acheive any solution? In fact, the attack on
the producer generates more publicity, curiosity and sympathy among the people
which would only boost the sales of the CD. Instead of denying his involvement
in inciting the parishioners as reported in a section of the press, the Parish
Priest should have outrightly condmened such use of violence as it is against
christian teachings.
It is unfortunate that people of Goa have got enough time and energy to quarrel
on issues of religion but hardly anyone reacts over abuses against the human
person, especially woman and children, and the mass scale rape and plunder of
Goa's natural resources.
Will Goans invest their capacities and energies for more productive purposes
in the New Year 2010 in order to establish the kingdom of Justice and Peace in
the world which the message of Christmas is all about?
-Soter D'Souza
