Gabe Menezes <<<This is a blog by my school mate, who preceded me by some years. Most of us in school had an inkling what was happening, alas as is portrayed, the circumstances and the faith and respect to be given, in which we were brought up, caused what happened. I guess this is true also of what happened in Ireland and other places. Thank God that we are now more aware and perceptive!>>>
Comment: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR The story told by Cypriano about his friend is horrifying. Yet there is also the other side of the mirror. I lived in small town Moshi and like most Goan Catholic parents do, I was encouraged to be an altar boy. We had the Holy Ghost Fathers who were Irish and ran the Bishopric. The one Irish Parish Priest I can remember was Fr. Knoppinger. We also had African pastors Fr. Jerome and an African Bishop (I don't remember the name, I think it was Bishop Joseph Kilasara who presided over the Bishopric from one of the upcountry places). I had the experience of dining at the Bishops table once with his Lordship (the African Bishop) presiding over the meal. I can only say it was a grand very European style meal served in courses and with all the trimmings including beer and milk in tankards. I was perhaps, at one time the only Goan altar server in Moshi. The other Goan boys felt uncomfortable with the altar server's garments because they were used also by African altar boys. I traveled all over the place serving Mass at places like Arusha Chini and Marangu and other places on Sundays with Fr, Jerome who used to drive a VW beatle and had a Mass kit in a metal 'sanduku' (trunk). The point of all this introductory explanations is to give the reader an idea of the setting. I CAN PROUDLY ASSERT THAT I NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY ABUSE FROM ANY OF THE PASTORS. In fact, I was treated with great respect and consideration by the Pastors whom I accompanied to the missions since I was a Goan who was not ashamed to use altar server garments also used by the African servers. At every place we went, if there was a Goan family there, then a grand breakfast was assured - sausages and eggs and bacon and toast. The traditional Goan East African Sunday breakfast. It must be also said here, where there were no Goan families, the Africans did their very best to put up a grand fare of ndizi na nyama (beef with green bananas in a gravy - very yummy) and the like. With regard to the abuse part, it was a minority - albeit a miniscule minority of children/ women which was abused. Nevertheless, abuse is abuse and should never be swept under the carpet. However lest it be assumed that every priest is an abuser, let the other side of the story also be told side by side. Of the homes saved, of the souls saved, of the minds healed by confession (a great psychiatric and psychological tool), of the charity done, of the many mouths fed and clothed by those parish priests. Yes there were abusers and there were those who did good. I think the later (do gooders) out number the former (abusers) vastly. Let us view this issue in its proper perspective. Tony -- "Tony de Sa" < tonydesa at gmail dot com>
