TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Church officials and people cutting across communities in the State have reacted angrily to the controversial comments of senior BJP leader Dr Subramanian Swamy, who had accused the Church in Goa of loving everyone, except HIV positive kids.
Also angered by the 8,127 “likes” and the 2,777 “shares” to his message as on Saturday evening, the church officials felt that Dr Swamy was neither aware of the ground realities regarding the Rivona school episode nor was he aware of the Church’s pioneering contribution to the HIV positive children in the State.
In his Facebook page, Dr Swamy had reacted to the withdrawal of 13 HIV positive students from the church-run school in Rivona school, following pressure from aggrieved parents, by posting a picture with the comment: “In Goa, the church loves everyone except HIV+ kids.”
Dr Swamy also had the following comments on his page, “church or ashram, no child must be discriminated anywhere for being HIV+.”
Responding to Dr Swamy’s post, Caritas Goa Director Fr Maverick Fernandes said: “The Church in Goa through its social arm, Caritas Goa, has responded to the need of taking care of those affected with HIV/AIDS for close to one-and-half decade. Caritas Goa established ASRO at Tivim and ASRO at Cavelossim to specifically provide care and support for those who were either abandoned or rejected by families and friends,” said Fr Fernandes.
“The Church made a conscious decision to cater to the needs of these positive children. In fact, ASRO Cavelossim of Caritas Goa was the second Community Care Centre to be affiliated to National Aids Control Society (NACO) in the entire nation.”
“It is significant to note that as soon as funding from NACO stopped, for the past two years, most Community Care Centres across the country have shut down, whereas ASRO Cavelossim continues to function fully without interruption till date,” Fr Fernandes added.
Added Fr Victor Ferrao of Rachol Seminary: “The attempt to discredit and disqualify the good work of the Church in Goa cannot weaken our resolve to serve our HIV-positive brethren in Goa. The church is determined to continue loving everyone, including our detractors and enemies.”
Sidharth Karapurkar, social activist from Navelim added: Dr Swamy kicked a self-goal while trying to convert the Rivona issue into a political football aimed at the Christian community in Goa. Today, he stands exposed as his high moral position on other issues becomes suspect as he based his view on total falsehood in this case.”
According to Puja Morajkar, a political science student from Goa University, “the divisive intent of Dr Swamy’s politics is clear from his statement.”
“We Goan Hindus and Christians know the truth and profoundly appreciate the service of the Church to our HIV-affected children. We cannot be led by the false ramblings of Dr Swamy,” said Morajkar. Havelock Ferrao, community leader from Varca, added, “The corrosive rant of Dr Swamy has few takers in Goa. By making such a false statement, he has put his foot in his mouth.”
Claiming that Dr Swamy’s statements were “far from the truth and his statement made from the comforting distance of Delhi is cowardly,” Walter De Souza from Arambol said: “No one can forget the love and service of the Catholic Church to the HIV-affected people.”
