VASCO: Hundreds of parishioners from Sancoale on Sunday evening gathered at the old church in Sancoale for a prayer and lit candles to send a message of peace and harmony among the people of Goa.
Some parishioners said, “Fr Louis Alvares, parish priest of Sancoale welcomed parishioners, priests and nuns, who also attended a peaceful prayer with candles lit at the site.”
Fr Alvares stressed on spreading the message of peace and harmony in Goa and to stay united. He said Goa has been a peaceful land always where all religious communities have been living peacefully and in a harmonious way.
When contacted, Fr Alvares, said, “There was a gathering at the old church in Sancoale, where people prayed and sung devotional songs”. “Parishioners were requested to respect the harmony and promote peace as the Goa has been known for being a peaceful place where people of various communities live in unity and peace,” he said.
He gave some historical background of the site and added that everyone should maintain the sanctity and respect the place as it also has a religious importance.
Later, candles were lit and prayers were recited and devotional songs were sung.
Fr Bolmax Pereira, Fr Eremito, Fr Pio Almeida, the Dean, Fr Manuel, Fr Gabriel Coutinho, Fr Lourdino and Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha were present.
When contacted South Goa Superintendent of Police Pankaj Kumar Singh said, “No FIR has not been registered despite a complaint being filed some days back.” However he was quick to add that police has taken preventive proceedings under the CrPC.
It may be recalled that on December 30, a group of people from another religious community reportedly performed some rituals at the Frontispiece of the old church at Sancoale which shocked the locals. A complaint was filed the same day but no FIR has been registered till date.
