Social responsibilities?
This refers to the editorial ‘Collapse of ethics goads priest to enter poll fray’ (Herald January 13, 2012). It must be remembered that the Catholic Church is not a manmade institution. A priest is espoused to the Church at his Ordination to the priesthood and vows obedience to the bishop. Will the priest do justice to his ministry and o public office? For, “No man can serve two masters…” (Matt 6:24). A priest has to be sensible rather than be imprisoned in ‘liberal theology’. Although the Church expresses her concern on social, political and human rights issues, she does not take it upon herself as her sole responsibility to correct social and political evils. There are many things that are not in the Canon Law, but have come with the practice of the Church. Fr. Bismarque Dias, with good intentions to fight social evils, may end up being absorbed in corruption.
Dominic Mathews, Siolim
‘Positive effects’
Normally, the State and religion should be kept away from each other. But in our ‘politricks’, they are overtly and covertly merged. Another good reason to welcome this is that the Ten Commandments and ‘peace be with you’ is generally followed regularly in Church and hypocritically not outside? So, a good priest getting into gutter politics may be a positive influence to bring a change in ethics and what is right. God’s laws which the faithful follow, are written by inspired disciples and holy people, and surely State laws and ethical behaviour should not be different. Good behavior and morality in Church should not be separated/ forgotten outside its precincts? People electing an inspired priest against the power of money, crime, nepotism and baser instincts maybe just the remedy to start a revolution, at this time and place.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Priests and politics
As expected, we see the entry of priests in politics. In a way it is a good sign that at least there is a ray of hope that we may see some real honest politicians in priests. There is a great chance that a priest may be a fantastic politician. But as we all know Goa is drowned in filthy politics, and it would be easily assumed that any priests would be prey to corruption and thus invite enmity. Priests should not get involved in politics. But this decision shows that even priests are very concerned about the political mess in Goa and want to make their presence felt in putting things right. They may try to do so. But since priests are supposed to preach brotherhood and love, politician priests will only end up being enemies of the opponent. As a result, no good shall come from them being in politics. Priests and nuns must think seriously and deeply before they take such decisions. I feel the gospel of Christ is yet to be preached to people far and wide and I suggest that such priests concentrate on preaching the gospel rather than entering politics which I feel will not serve any purpose to them or the laity. They are requested to be wise, reflect and then decide.
Gorgon Almeida, Vasco
Rescue victims
Priests in the past, like inspired disciples, with goodness in their heart have been in the front position during public protest over various problems that have plagued and are plaguing the State. When in the past priests have tried to or have done good from outside the Legislative Assembly, why can not they not do or be allowed to do good by being members of the Legislative Assembly? At least 40 priests like Fr. Bismarque Dias should turn rescuers of victim-people to save them from being persecuted by greedy politicians. The priest, besides his priestly function, can surely have a political position as an additional post to hold, for this is the need of the hour.
Joseph Lewis D’Silva, Quepem
‘Ray of hope’
I support Fr. Bismarque’s decision to contest the March elections and request Goans irrespective of caste and to support him in what might possibly be one of the last few opportunities to save Goa and Goans. We are witnessing the nomination of other good people/fronts to fight the same cause. I think there is hope for a good outcome with an alliance of the good to fight the anti Goans. I strongly believe that it is not just important to preach religion but also to practice, speak and act where evil acts. Otherwise Goa will be a hypocritical, religious society which tolerates all the evil, environment destruction, loss of values, drug issues and severe atrocities committed on our State and community.
Arwin Mesquita, Colva/UAE
Beach sunbeds
The beach shacks on Candolim beach provide tourists with good food and friendly service. It is what Goa is about. Why then are tourist police in Goa taking sun beds, knocking shacks down, upsetting and frightening tourists? Shack owners are scared of erecting more than the ridiculous amount of only 10 sun beds out in case the police confiscate them.
It really does make us wonder whether the Goa government really want tourists in the State. Every year they make it more difficult to obtain visa, with the rules being changed every year. I have not been able to get a sun bed for nearly a week, and half of my holiday in has already ended!
John Broadley, via email
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Irked British tourist
I have been visiting Goa for the last 10 years. For one week now there have been no sun beds at my favourite Shacks. Between Candolim and Sinquirium I have seen older people and children forced to sit on the sand with no sun bed and no shade. It’s ridiculous. Goa is renowned for its beach shacks.. The majority of tourists come to Goa for its sun, sea sand and shacks. It seems that shacks are only supposed to be allowed 5 sun beds. This is insufficient, given the number of tourists in the State. If a group consists of more than ten people what should be done? And this isn’t the first year that such a problem has occurred.
I know many European tourists who are not returning to Goa, because they are so fed up with this situation.
I believe that a part of the problem is due to access of the beach for walkers and emergency vehicles. This would seem to be mainly at the Baga beach end due to the beach area at high tide being very limited. Perhaps it would be a good idea to restrict how far down the beach the sun beds should be allowed to be placed, not create problems for all other shacks by having to turn people away.
Wendy Cole, via email
