[Goanet-News] An Open Letter to our Cardinal-to-Be (FN, The Goan)

[Goanet Reader]

An Open Letter to our Cardinal-to-Be

Dear Archbishop,

A search online took me to the many confusing ways for aptly
addressing a Cardinal.  But, permit me to opt out of those.
Not because your elevation in the Church is a few days away,
but as a way of underlining How your simplicity and humility
has touched people like me.  I've been one of those whom you
told, "Call me Father", not a long time back, and I will
cherish that memory.

On Sunday, much of Goa, I'd guess, was thrilled to realise
that one of their very own was soon to become a Cardinal.  It
was as if their deep faith had been recognised, critiques of a
Western-dominated Church somewhat blunted, and what might seem
to be like trying times had also been acknowledged.

People of my generation have accompanied your role in the
Church.  It seems like yesterday when you were installed in
March 2004, as archbishop, if not mistaken, at the See
Cathedral.  (Or was that 1994, when you took over as auxiliary
bishop?  Time just flies...)

  A lot of people are going to say a lot of good
  things at a time like this.  This you certainly
  deserve.  But let me not waste this space by
  focussing on what many know.  Instead, this could
  also be an excuse for stock-taking, for a look back
  at the recent past (and more remote periods), and
  for a commonman's visions of the future as far as
  Catholicism in Goa goes.

Despite all the challenges, I am not one of those who sees a
pessimistic future.  At least not as long as the common people
(leave aside our political class) keep their hearts simple and
pure, stay honest in their dealings with their fellowmen of
all faith, and keep their peace in this world as well.

We were in school when the Church in Goa was in the throes of
change in the uncertain years of the 1960s.  The few printed
records of those times don't tell the story adequately; but
some senior to us still have sharp memories.  Those were not
easy times, and we too could feel the pressures on our elders
then.  Changing from being a Portuguese-run to a post-colonial
Church was definitely not an easy task.  With some
limitiations, it has been done.

Vatican II came along, the Church took to Konkani in a big way
(maybe even overlooking the need for some linguistic
diversity).  It made some bold changes.  For some, this was
not enough.  For others, it was too much.  But then, as they
say, you can't please all.

Whatever the critics hold, there is also a half-filled glass
there.  Many things deserve to be appreciated.  You yourself,
your predecessor Archbishop Raul, have taken the community
forward, spiritually as also in the real world.  I'm sure
Bishop Francisco Xavier da Piedade Rebello †, the apostolic
administrator who retired in 1972, probably would have done
the same.  (I sound uncertain because he was before our times,
maybe we need more writings on Church leaders, or probably I'm
just ill-informed here.)

Over the years, we've seen the Church transform.  In the
1970s, priests came across as blunt, sometimes even arrogant.
There was a fear then of activist stands.  But change has
come; up to a point.  Critics like us have sometimes
appreciated its stands on the environment, activism, and its
willingness to speak out.  For a Church which once was
pro-status quo, it was willing to speak out, and pay the
price.

  The willingness to speak out has brought the
  institution in conflict with some secular heads.
  This has resulted in unhelpful decisions, by the
  State, on issues like the Medium of Instruction.
  But, one could bet that more of the faithful are
  proud of how their Chuch works now, than it ever did
  in pre-1961 times, when it looked like an extension
  of the State.

Without being too self-congratulatory, there is of course need
for introspection, deep-thought and planning ahead.  Our
community is also facing a number of challenges, some not
related to the Church as an institution, but which the Church
can definitely play a role over.

As of now, many Catholic Goans are being convinced that they
have little to no future in their home-state and motherland.
The push to out-migration is all-encompassing.  If nobody can
stop the desire to leave, can we ensure that out Daizpora
retains their daiz, a link with home, and a desire to one day
return as many other Indic communities do?

The community seems to be flagging in building up a generation
of leaders.  In the 1960s and 1970s, we had leadership
development programmes, and social activism trends.  In the
conflict between the two diverse roads, we seem to have
largely given up on both.

We are reminded that Goa has so many "Catholic" leaders, only
when they commit some controversial deeds.  They are in no way
accountable to the community, but the community gets slurred
when they defect, indulge in corruption or electoral practice,
or seek to offer a secular 

[Goanet-News] ALERT: PROPERTY | SCAM | Illegal occupation of properties increased in Bardes (Nerul)

[Frederick Noronha]

PROPERTY | SCAM | बार्देसमध्ये मालमत्तांवर बेकायदा कब्जाचे प्रकार वाढले !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwrBHhMDjyA
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31/05/22,
09:04:41 pm
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