Team Herald
VASCO: A controversy has erupted in Sancoale village over shifting of the venue of annual feast of St Joseph Vaz, from Sanctuary to the old church in the village.
According to the information, a decision has been taken by the Church authorities Goa to celebrate this year the feast of St Joseph Vaz (to be held on January 16) at the old church premises and not at the sanctuary of St Joseph Vaz.
The decision has been taken in view of the fact that the old church area has huge capacity to accommodate the devotees besides other reasons including parking etc.
However, to oppose the same a group of 150-odd Sancoale villagers on Sunday held a meeting opposite to the sanctuary of St Joseph Vaz in Sancoale. They later met the parish priest of Sancoale church to convey their objection to the decision. They also informed the parish priest that since St Joseph Vaz attained Sainthood with all the devotion carried out from the Sanctuary for decades it would be just and proper and moreover suitable that the feast should be celebrated at the Sanctuary and not at the old church where having infrastructure would be a difficult task.
Meanwhile, sources informed that a year ago, the Church authorities had thought of celebrating the feast of St Joseph Vaz at the old church at Sancoale and hence this year the church authorities began with the arrangements to implement its decision.
