SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
hen was the previous time that a Rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus wrote a letter alleging the negligence of the upkeep of the church, and also released it to the media? Before last week, when Fr Patricio Fernandes caused a minor stir in Central and State government circles by his letter listing out the ‘colossal negligence, incompetence and inefficiency of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)’ in undertaking the repairs of the Basilica, there is no record of any previous such missive. The letter resulted in a minister of the State government undertaking an inspection of the Basilica, but then except for witnessing firsthand the condition of the structure, there was little Michael Lobo, the Waste Management Minister deputed by the CM to undertake the inspection, could do. Of course, he can ask the ASI to expedite the works, but the monsoon is now weeks away. The sudden showers of rain earlier this month have possibly caused some more damage. The Basilica stands today, but it has to also stand for many more tomorrows, and it will do so, only if there is proper and timely restoration and conservation of the structure.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is not just any heritage structure. It is, where Goa and Goans are concerned, the most important heritage structure in the State. It has a special place in the hearts of lakhs of Goans, not because it is a church, nor because it is old, nor because of its unique Indo-European style, but because within its confines atop a marble mausoleum, in a crystal urn enclosed in a silve casket lie the Sacred Relics of the Goencho Saib – St Francis Xavier – a saint in whom Goans have a strong faith. It is at the foot of this marble mausoleum that everyday hundreds of people kneel and pray, bringing to their Goencho Saib their troubles, pouring them at his feet and leaving the Basilica assured that their pravyers have been heard and that their Goencho Saib will interceded for them an never let them down. That’s what makes the Basilica an iconic heritage structure. It may be an easily recognisable church across the world, for it is the picture of this church, other than the palm-fringed beaches, that Goa Tourism uses on its brochures and promotional activity to lure tourists to the State.
The Basilica has a certain aura about it, that it gets by virtue of housing the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier. Over the years, this characteristic, far from diminishing, has grown to convert it into a very unique monument. Take a moment to imagine the Old Goa world heritage site without the exposed red of the laterite stone Basilica among the other white-washed churches. Of the other churches in this complex, the Se Cathedral may be much larger, the Chapel of St Catherine so much older, the Church of St Francis of Assisi unique with a Manueline door, the Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence (St Cajetan) a Theatine beauty, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary the oldest of the churches of Old Goa, the ruins of St Augustine a wonder with one tower still standing, but what draws everybody is the Basilica. Even the busload of tourists that drop in at Old Goa every single day, have the Basilica as their first stop. Many may not even visit the other churches in the complex.
Can a structure such as this – one that has unique heritage value and recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as part of the World Heritage Monument cluster of churches in Old Goa – be allowed to crumble or even reach a stage where it begins to deteriorate? The answer cannot be anything other than a firm ‘no’ from all sections of society. There are various reasons for saying no. The Basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Monument, the Basilica is a iconic and revered site for Goans, the Basilica is a religious church that draws lakhs of pilgrims to pray there every year, the Basilica is a unique example of Indo-European art and architectural styles sought out by historians and architects, the basilica is a tourist attraction that brings millions to view its exteriors and interiors. This church, therefore, cannot be allowed to deteriorate in condition. It has to be preserved for the centuries ahead, so that generations down the line get the opportunity to view it and to offer prayers in it.
The Basilica has stood out for its importance in international circles primarily because of its architectural styles. It is four centuries old, and to the untrained eye perhaps just one large church that brings the question of what engineering techniques may have gone in its construction, making it stand over 400 years later. It is only the trained eye that can discern some of those unique architectural features and some Indian motifs in the interiors that have blended with the European styles and make it world heritage site. The Basilica is essentially baroque in style, but effortlessly absorbs Indian aspects in its exteriors and interiors . Such an inimitable example cannot be allowed to deteriorate.
It is rare for the Rector of the Basilica to pen a letter of the manner in which the current cleric holding the position did. And he did it, as he states in the opening lines of the letter, ‘with profound anguish’. But had he not written that letter, the deteriorating condition of the Basilica may have gone unnoticed by the thousands who visit it daily. Currently, as the country remains locked down to battle the novel coronavirus, there would be few who would have noticed the open roofs as there are at present no visitors to the Basilica. It was only through this letter that Goa came to be aware of the fragile condition of the structure. The path forward is what is now important. We can’t dwell on finger pointing or photo ops of dignitaries visiting the Basilica to inspect the damage. There may be a little of this, but it has to be set aside and with single-minded focus go to restore and conserve this priceless piece of history, architecture, religiosity and identity.
