When an institution like the Church is constrained and obviously pained to release a statement defending its actions, there is surely a malaise in our society which needs to be arrested.
The recent instances where the Church has been dragged into the behind-the-scenes politics surrounding the genuine people’s agitation against the manner in which Goa is losing control of its land and resources – a wider issue than the limited one of opposition to PDAs, is not only condemnable but should be seen as alarming.
The video essentially targeted the church and made allegations that indicated that the institution has never supported any of Goa’s good causes. It went to the extent of saying that the Church was bent on de-stabilising the government. Now these kinds of attacks, against a body like the Church, could not have been made by a solitary loose cannon but by an organised team. It is also commendable that Goa’s social fabric is much stronger than the sum of these kinds of attempts, to weaken it.
But there is no denying that the audacity to drag the institution into a controversy like this should not go unchallenged. The Church is pained. It has responded by saying that there were “mala-fide attacks against the Church and its policies”.
This extract from a statement released by the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) bears significance. “Since no particular individual or group has, so far, taken responsibility for the production, release and circulation of these video clips, it is obvious that it is the work of elements who are frustrated and upset over the CSJP’s support to the people across Goa, who have been voicing their legitimate concerns about the PDAs, ODPs and Regional Plans.”
The CSJP has clearly released this statement after consultations with the senior clergy and in likelihood with the sanction of His Grace, the Archbishop himself. It is clear that it should and will exercise its right and responsibility to question the policies of the Government which go counter to the genuine interests of the people.
It is also in the process of ascertaining the allegations levelled against the Church in the video clips and it will probe the matter in its proper context.
Its final remark is telling “Nevertheless, the CSJP maintains that such anonymous video clips are devious and feeble attempts by vested interests to target the Church”
Goa, is clearly one of the last bastions of genuine secularism and harmony. Both Hindus and Catholics, guard this proudly and consider it as a privilege to live in a society where there is friendship and togetherness in social and business life.
And the Church has always guided and guarded its flock and the CSJP statement underlines it. “Moreover, such efforts by vested interests will surely not muzzle the CSJP from its pursuit of monitoring policies, safeguarding public rights, creating awareness among people and taking positions in public interest, irrespective of the party in power”.
Goans have and will revere the Church and continue to be guided by it. While it is impossible to undermine the Church, it will be sad day and Goa’s loss if the Church is treated like any other institution, religious or otherwise.
