Goa Archbishop Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao’s recent call for zero tolerance to child sexual abuse is laudable. But he needs to explain his own inaction in the 2004 Ribandar case where the then Parish Priest of Ribandar Father Newton Rodrigues was allegedly involved in the molestation of a 13 year old parishioner just before midnight mass.
I had personally met the Archbishop in 2004 and sought his intervention. As requested by him I had also submitted a written complaint to him with all the facts. He was also fully aware that the Moderator of the Ribandar Parish Pastoral Council had resigned over what was going on at the Ribandar Church. But for reasons best known to him Archbishop Ferrao chose not to take any action and just look the other way. Nobody can be above the law and we are doing more damage by trying to keep the illegal and immoral acts of those erring Priests under wraps. If our Archbishop had cracked the whip in time may be the Ribandar and even the Macazana Church horrifying events may never have happened. These may not be just isolated instances but a part of the bigger malaise that the Church one day or the other will have to come to terms with. So if Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao puts into practice what he has just preached by cleansing his own stables it may be in everybody’s best interest. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
