Cannot vouch for claims on St Francis in Sri Lanka: scribe

priests dismiss claims as a conspiracy theory 

TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: In a major conspiracy theory floated by the Sri Lankan press, Sri Lankan journalist W T J S Kaviratne claimed that a section of Buddhist monks and Sri Lankan devotees have alleged  that the relics of St Francis Xavier is that of 15th century Buddhist monk Sri Rahula Thero. The remains of the saint, commonly regarded as Goencho saib and revered in the state are interred in a silver casket at the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

Speaking to media persons at an interaction organized by Ivar Fjeld, a representative of the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, but based in Goa, Kaviratne however said that there was no way he could vouch for the claims made in Sri Lanka. 

While he put forward the idea that a DNA test on the relics would help dispel any doubts, he stopped short of making such a demand. 

“I am just a journalist; these claims are not mine. I had done a report citing sources without vouching for either side,” was all Kaviratne could tell journalists at the interaction. 

The Sri Lankan media, he said had reported, that there was a demand from the Buddhists that the authorities in Goa should conduct such a DNA test. 

“In the absence of response from the Goan side, such doubts will continue to remain and will continue to be harboured,” Kaviratne said. 

Meanwhile Catholic priests in Goa have dismissed the claims as a conspiracy theory that should not be given any importance. 

“At the time of Francis Xavier’s death, he was neither a saint, nor was he considered outstandingly holy. When his body was brought to Goa, attempts were made to force a decomposition through introduction of lime and through brutalizing the body, so that the bones could be taken back to Spain to be kept in the royal castle,” Fr Victor Ferrão a researcher has said. 

“It was only after more than two years after the body refused to decompose that his stature rose and people began venerating him as a holy man,” Fr Ferrão said ruling out the question of a question of there being a reason to bring another body and claim that to be of Francis Xavier. 

Questions are also being raised on the credentials of Ivar Fjeld who sponsored the Kaviratne and the timing he has chosen to bring him given that this year the decennial exposition of the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier will be held. 

Ivar Fjeld runs a Zionist website (www.ivarfjeld.com) hosting content that is pro zionist. 

“A cursory look at his website reveals that his website reveals that he is a hardcore zionist who is bent on virulently denigrating the Church, its institutions and beliefs. Apparently the SriLankan journalist is just a pawn in his bigger agenda,” Fr Anthony Fernandes of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre has said, saying that he’s speaking in his individual capacity.   

The biggest loophole in the conspiracy theory is that Thero is believed to have died in 1491 much before Francis Xavier, who died in 1552.

At the time of Francis Xavier’s death, he was neither a Saint, nor was he considered outstandingly holy. When his body was brought to Goa, attempts were made to force a decompositionthrough introduction of lime and brutalizing the body, so that the bones could be taken back to Spain to be kept in the royal castle. It was only more than two years after the body refused to decompose that his stature rose and people began venerating him as a holy man.

 Fr Victor Ferrão, a researcher