TEAM HERALD
VASCO: Thousands of Christians and people of other faiths converged at St Andrew Church, Vasco, to take part in the penitential peace rally to condemn the vandalism of churches in Delhi and Mangalore, besides the controversial remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and VHP leaders against Mother Teresa.
The priests and parishioners also expressed their dismay over the Catholic MLAs in Goa failing to speak out against the atrocities on Christian institutions and the remarks against Mother Teresa.
Parishioners from nine parishes in the Mormugao Deanery consisting of Cortalim, Sancoale, Chicalim, Bogmalo, St Jacinto Island, Baina, Desterro and Harbour, participated in the peace rally and raised their voices in protest against the atrocities faced by Christians in Delhi, Mangalore and the statements against Mother Teresa.
Speaking to Herald, Dean of Mormugao deanery Fr Vithal Miranda said the rally was organised to show solidarity with Christians of Delhi and other parts of the country, who are suffering silently at the hands of the fundamentalists.
Reacting to the statements made against Mother Teresa, Fr Miranda said Mother Teresa was recognised as a living saint by India and other countries. “It’s sad that such statements are coming much after her death and it is not fit for such a person to make remarks against the work of Mother Teresa.”
Fr Gabriel Coutinho, parish priest of St Andrew Church Vasco, said the main objective of the rally was to condemn the incidents against the Christians across the country. “Things are getting from bad to worse and this has to be stopped at some time and that is why we staged penitential peace rally of nine parishes of Mormugao deanery,” said Fr Coutinho.
“The government at the Centre and in Goa should stop all the atrocities against the minorities, as everyone is living in fear. It is very sad that some people are talking against Mother Teresa’s work, which shows their hollowness and they are jealous as they cannot do the same good work which Mother Teresa did,” he said.
Fr Coutinho strongly condemned the silence of the Catholic MLAs in Goa and said it was surprising that the elected Catholic representatives have remained tight lipped over the atrocities and vandalism of the churches.
