DEATH OF FR. MORENO DE SOUZA.
On behalf of myself, my colleagues in Konkani circle especially from Kuwait Konknni Kendr, Konkani Heritage Kuwait and all the like minded lovers of Konkani, I deeply mourn the sad demise of Fr. Moreno D'Souza on Sunday 14th of this month in Goa. As I know him, Fr. Moreno D'Souza during his entire life not only served God but he also served Konkani in Roman script. He was a good friend of mine and I was a good reader of his D. Mhoineachi Rotti, even in Kuwait I was a suscriber of D. M. Rotti. In D. M. Rotti in the column of "Vichar ani Zabab" on religious topics, we both had lot of debates, not on ordinary subjects but on very high subjects. Many times he involved and made Fr. Ivo Do Conceicao to quench my thirst when he himself was found wanting. Thru D.M. Rotti and thru Fr. Moreno's writings I have improved my power of knowledge, not only on religious topics but also on secular topics. I was reading him not only in D.M. Rotti but also in other Konkani dailies, weeklies and monthlies. His writings had deep meaning and he used to make lot of research on any topic that he used to touch.
Fr. Moreno was also a very good preacher and I heard his sermons at innumerable places and at innumerable times in Goa. While preaching one could feel some grace in him and a fountain of wisdomatic words. He had very good convincing power. His sermons were also very bold and even his advices to people were very bold. Once, one middle aged woman in my village came to him soliciting his assistance. While doing so she asked Fr. Moreno to pray for her pain in her right hand. Fr. Moreno replied to her thus "You must be prepared to bear at least little pain as a Christian because Christianity revolves around suffering. If we Christians are not ready to bear a little physical pain then what sort of Christians are we?".
During the invasion of Kuwait, to respect my word, he came to Panjim at T. B. Cunha Hall when we marked the National Day of Kuwait on the eve of the liberation of Kuwait. He was very symphatetic to our cause of Kuwait. He prayed for the liberation of Kuwait and during the meeting in his address to the hall packed gathering of Kuwait evacuees, he spoke so well in support of the liberation of Kuwait and in appreciation of our movement.
In his death I will miss a very good friend, a very good guide and an excellent colleague in Konkani movement. He brought honour not only for Konkani in general but more so for Roman script Konkani. Once Rane as a Chief Minister of Goa about 3o years back said Romi Konkani writers and followers are backward. Immediately on the next day Fr. Moreno issued a bold statement saying "I am a Romi Konkani writer and supporter. I am not backward. I challenge you to prove me as backward". Rane had no guts to prove and like a coward remained silent.
May the soul of Fr. Moreno D'Souza Rest In Peace and may God give more of Fr. Morenos to Goa and to our Goan Church. It is a sad that day by day death is snatching Konkani lover and Konkani writer priests from our midst. Their contribution for the promotion, development and spread of Konkani was immense.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
