All India Catholic Union AGM focuses on human rights situation in country

Team Herald

MARGAO: In a huge feat for Goa, Engineer Elias Vaz was elected unopposed as the President of the All India Catholic Union (AICU), Asia’s oldest and largest Catholic laity organisation, which is recognised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. 

Vaz, an award-winning corporate manager is the second Goan to get elected as president, after Dr Maria Emelia Menezes, an industrialist, who was the first woman president in the year 2000.

This was announced by AICU official spokesperson John Dayal, while speaking to mediapersons, at the St Joseph Vas Retreat Centre, Old Goa, where the AICU is having its three-day annual general meeting (AGM).

General Secretary of the Catholic Association of Goa (CAG)  Rynus Vincent explained that Vaz will be the president of AICU for the next two terms, while the elections for the post of AICU vice-presidents will be held on Sunday, the last day of the AGM.

Vincent added that the CAG is the host for this 68th AICU AGM. All Catholic State associations are affiliated with the 103-year-old AICU.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa Daman and Diu and Rev Felix Machado, Archbishop of Vasai graced the AGM too which is conducting various activities.  

Speaking about the topics discussed at the seminars underway at the AGM, Dayal said, “The main focus was on the human rights situation in India.”

“Former judges, bishops, activists and social activists of Goa spoke of the threat that is posed to the Republic, Democracy and Constitution. Concern has been shown specifically for the environment in Goa, which is facing many threats from many quarters,” said Dayal.

“I think it is for the Catholic union and civil society and the citizens of Goa, to rise to the occasion and conserve what is so precious about this lovely State,” Dayal added.