PANJIM: Clarifying the Church stand on the priest controversy, the social arm of the Church — Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) — has said that the Church has every right to express itself on the moral aspects of the on-going socio-political situations.
In a release issued here, CSJP said that in the light of recent controversies, and the selective treatment meted out, the Council for Social Justice and Peace wants to clarify that it is the moral duty of the Catholic Church to denounce evil and promote good values in society.
“Priests are bound to conscientise the laity and to help them interpret the socio-political realities of the day, subject, of course to the restrictions laid down by the law,” it says.
CSJP said that silence and restraint on the part of the Church, in the light of these restrictions, should not be interpreted as endorsement of any wrongdoing and ought not to be taken advantage of.
“The Church, through her representatives, has the right and spiritual duty to express herself on the moral aspects of the on-going socio-political situations and offer guidance for the building of a just and humane society,” it states.
The Election Commission had let off, Fr Conceicao D’Silva, the parish priest of Raia, with a warning after he tendered an unconditional apology.
