VASCO: Eight parishes from Mormugao taluka will stage a penitential peace rally in the port town to condemn the vandalization of churches in Delhi and Mangalore and the utterances by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Mother Teresa’s work.
Condemning the act of vandalising the churches in Delhi, hall named after St Jose Vaz at Mangalore and comments by Bhagwat, the parishioners of the eight parishes will organise the peace rally on March 2.
Speaking to Herald, Our Lady of Candelaria Church, Baina, Parish Priest Fr Vital Miranda said the atrocities against Christians are on the rise and this act has to be condemned.
“We do not believe in violence, but that does not mean that we will keep quiet and bear all the atrocities,” said Fr Miranda.
“While denouncing the act of vandalisation of churches in Delhi and Mangalore, we also condemn the unwarranted statement by RSS chief Bhagwat against Mother Teresa’s work and as Jesus said while dying on the Cross, ‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing’, I will only repeat the same words and pray to the Father to forgive them,” said Fr Miranda.
St Andrew’s Church, Vasco, Parish Priest Fr Gabriel Coutinho said the government should act against all those who are involved in polarisation of the people of the country by attacking religions and sentiments of the people.
Condemning all acts of vandalising of churches in the country and Bhagwat’s statement, Fr Coutinho urged people of all faith to join the peach march on March 2.
Fr Coutinho said the peace rally will start from St Andrew’s Church at 4.30 pm and will proceed towards IOC junction via Swantantra Path road and will cumulate back at St Andrew’s Church via F L Gomes road.
