Eddie Viegas
This refers to your report of Herald, March 6, 2017. It was disheartening for the lakhs of Goans to note that two students who are presumed to be the cream of the country from a prestigious institute like the BITS Pilani, Goa had the temerity to receive the Holy Communion although not even properly dressed for the event, spit out the hosts and then photograph themselves desecrating the blessed hosts at a church premises in Raia. Kudos to Fr. Eremito for controlling the situation in the aftermath of the event as otherwise this could have had serious repercussions on the two brats who dared to commit such a deed ignorantly or not. In many countries of the world, people have been lynched for even uttering something innocuous about a religion under the garb of blasphemy – and here we have a case where the people have forgiven the two so-called students who have committed an act which could rank as one of the worst thing that one can do to hurt the sentiments of the Catholic community.
Education by itself comprises the development of the Body – The Physical, mind – The mental and spirit – the spiritual. It is quite apparent from the action of the two boys at the church that neither their parents, their earlier schools and now their present Institute have been able to instill in them the feelings of spirituality read Morality. Their subject action is as a result of their lack of feelings for the society in which they live. One wonders how these young men could become responsible citizens of the future despite the high flown degrees which institutes like BITS may bestow on them.
While the Government has literally done away with the teachings of religion and Morals in schools, It is high time that institutes like BITS introduce such courses as a part of their syllabus or the students so that they know how to behave in a civilized society. While dying on the cross at the hands of his killers, Jesus said “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”.
In this case it is doubtful that the boys from MP & Maharashtra did not know what they were doing but what the parishioners of Raia and Fr Eremito did was certainly in keeping with the teachings of Christ.
