TEAM HERALD
CURCHOREM: Parishioners of Guardian Angel Church Curchorem have urged Archbishop-Patriarch Felipe Neri Ferrao to reconsider his decision to relieve Fr James Torres e Silva as the parish priest.
In a memorandum to Archbishop Ferrao, the four-member delegation consisting of Guardian Angel Church Confraria President Anthony Menezes, former Confraria president William Fernandes, former Fabrica attorney Tito D’Cunha and Church bulletin editor Paxiao Pereira urged the Archbishop to reconsider his decision to relieve Fr James and to revoke the order dated August 2, thereby reinstating Fr James as the parish priest of Guardian Angel Church, Curchorem.
Speaking to Herald, Confraria President Menezes said they submitted the memorandum following parishioners’ meeting in the church premises on September 9.
“The parishioners also demanded to dissolve the defunct administrative committee of the Fabrica of Guardian Angel Church, Curchorem, which is still allowed to continue even after their term has since expired,” stated Menezes.
In the memorandum which was received by Chancellor Fr Manuel Dias at Archbishop’s House, Panjim, parishioners urged the Archbishop to consider their demands within eight days failing which the parishioners would be compelled to protest at the Archbishop’s House and also threatened to go on a chain hunger strike until demands are fully met.
“Fr James earned praises from all over Goa and abroad for building an edifice and cemetery at Aquem-Margao,” said Paxiao Pereira.
“Fr James worked tirelessly and with great zeal to unite the parishioners and guide the youth, spiritually as well as culturally. All the parishioners including Hindu and Muslim community were very happy when Fr James restarted the traditional age-old procession of Our Lady on February 2, which was earlier discontinued on flimsy grounds,” claimed Pereira.
Speaking to Herald, former attorney of Fabrica Tito D’Cunha said he hope the Archbishop will understand the sentiments of the parishioners and fulfil the demands of the parishioners by re-instating Fr James as the parish priest of Guardian Angel Church, Curchorem.
It may be recalled that Fr James had requested Archbishop Ferrao to relieve him on “health grounds,” but speculation was rife that Fr James wanted to move out of the parish following interference by a former priest.
