PANJIM, JAN 19
Concerned over growing burglaries and desecrations in Catholic places of worship, the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has issued a security advisory to administrative committees of Fabricas and Cofres of churches and chapels in the archdiocese.
In a recent circular, Fr Santana Faleiro, secretary of the Secretariat of the Confraternities, said the church had received a letter from the police regarding thefts and desecrations of places of worship, along with a security advisory, enlisting various measures to be taken to ensure safety of Catholic places of worship.
In a 15-point advisory, the archdiocese has advised that adequate number of security personnel be employed for proper security check and guarding of places of worship.
“In case it is not possible to deploy sufficient number of security personnel, minimum one security guard should be deployed at least during the night time.”
“Security guards should be provided with a torch, lathi (baton) and a register which would be signed by the police on patrol duty, after checking the alertness of security guards.”
“The security guards must be hired from a registered security agency only. Their antecedents must verified through police.”
“Their photos and other personal details should be kept on record and copies of the same may be provided to the police. Likewise, the verification of other employees should also be done through local police station by filling ‘employee verification’ forms,” states the advisory.
The archdiocese has also suggested alternative measures in case churches and chapel bodies are unable to employ security personnel.
“In case religious institutions are unable to employ any security personnel due to financial constraints, they should furnish the names of at least two able-bodied persons from their locality who are willing to perform security duty during the night time to police.”
“The police may explore the possibility of giving some honorarium to such volunteer security guards by writing to the government,” the advisory states.
The archdiocese has also recommended that the number of access points to Catholic places of worship “needs to be reduced to the minimum. Ideally one access point is easy to regulate.”
Church and chapel administrative committees have also been encouraged to deploy equipment to boost security at the religious place of worship.
“Door frame metal detectors (DFMD) may be installed at the entry point and every person must be made to pass through DFMD and should also be subjected to frisking and manual checking in case of any suspicion. Handbags must be checked.”
“Install alarm system and closed circuit TV(CCTV), with at least 30 days storage, at all the access points, sanctum sanatorium and also at other strategic points, so as to bring the whole place of worship under surveillance. The CCTV footage should be monitored and be made available to the police.”
