Four statues go missing, 3 others damaged
TEAM HEALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Miscreants vandalised and desecrated the St Joseph Chapel at Banda-Assolna as the statue of patron saint went missing from the altar along with three other statues, while three statues were found in damaged condition in the bushes opposite the chapel.
The incident sent shockwaves across Salcete as it comes against the backdrop of the desecration of the grotto of St Francis Xavier at Cuncolim on Friday and the Velim cemetery cross vandalism.
The incident came to light on Saturday evening when Fabrica members entered to clean up the chapel in view of the Sunday Mass, only to find the statue of patron saint St Joseph and other statues missing. One of the statues was found damaged in the chapel itself, while others were dumped in the bushes. (Related reports on Pg 2)
Assolna Parish Priest and Episcopal Vicar, South Fr Lucio Dias, rushed to the chapel after being intimated of the incident by the Fabrica members and lodged a complaint with the Cuncolim police.
Parishioners poured into Banda as the shocking news travelled across Assolna and the neighbouring villages of Cuncolim, Velim and Ambelim.
Fr Lucio told the media that the wooden statue of St Joseph, statue of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, a small size statue of St Joseph, besides statues of St Luis Gonzaca and St Terezinha have gone missing along with the chair meant for the priest in the Church. “When we took a round in the vicinity, we found three statues dumped in the bushes, including two in damaged condition,” he said, adding that the cupboards in the chapel were left untouched, while the tabernacle was found intact.
Superintendent of Police, South Shekhar Prabhudessai, who visited the spot, said that the miscreants effected entry into the chapel through the left door. He said the police have started investigations into the incident in right earnest and are working on the case.
Says Fabrica member Celso Dias: “It was around 4 pm when the members had come to clean up the premises. When we entered the chapel, we found the statues missing,” he said.
DySP Mohan Naik said that the finger print expert has managed to get a finger print from the spot and the same is being developed for comparison. He, however, said the miscreants targeted the chapel for gain as evident by the fact that only wooden statues have been stolen from the place of worship along with an antique chair, while abandoning the clay statues.
Late Saturday evening, the parishioners gathered at the chapel for a prayer service before dispersing from the spot.
