KUWAIT CHURCH AND NEW PARISH PRIEST, FR. GASPAR FERNANDES.

The Kuwait City Roman Catholic Church is christened as Holy Family Cathedral which can accommodate around 1000 faithfuls at a time. It was built in 1960 and in the same year it was inaugurated by the late Cardinal Valerian Gracias from Bombay. Cardinal Gracias was a Goan from the village of Navelim, Salcette, brought up and studied at Karachi. From Bombay he especially came to inaugurate this Holy Family Cathedral. Next to the Cathedral in the Church compound there is a magnificent 4 storey building constructed 10 years back. Actually the Church activities first time in Kuwait started in mid fifties at KOC Center, Ahmadi with the arrival of Bishop Ubaldo Stella who was especially recruited by KOC to look after the spiritual needs of the faithfuls from different nationalities employed at KOC. When Bishop Stella came to Kuwait he was not a Bishop but consecrated as Bishop later on in 1960 at Rome by the Pope Pius XII.

The first Church of Kuwait was built at Ahmadi by KOC and as per the contractual decree, it is still maintained by the KOC. Though it is the first Church of Kuwait yet it is much smaller in size than the Holy Family Cathedral. It caters to the spiritual needs of the people residing in Ahmadi, Fahaeel, Mangaf and other surrounding areas. Earlier in seventies, Sunday Masses were also conducted at Fahaheel in a especially rented House mainly for the spiritual needs of the huge number of domestics working at Fahaheel.

Before the construction of the Holy Family Cathedral, there was a small Chapel for Catholics at a place where now we see the Evangelical Church. This place was also utilized by the other Christian denominations to perform their rites. Later on Bishop Stella at the site of present Cathedral constructed a residential house for the clergy to conduct Holy Masses on Sundays and other week days. Regretfully, soon after the completion of the construction of the Holy Family Cathedral, in 1961 on one fine Sunday evening after the 7.00 PM Mass, the roof of the Cathedral collapsed and since this sad incident occurred after the Mass, luckily nobody was hurt because at that particular moment the Cathedral was empty. To repair this roof finally top Architects were especially hired from Europe.

Interestingly, the main Alter of the Cathedral is having a piece of Stone from Golcotta, Calvary Mountain in Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was crucified.

Bishop Stella according to elders and especially those who interacted with him was an upright person. Being an Italian of that era of Fascist Mussolini, an ally of Hitler in devastating humanity, Bishop Stella was a generous man devoid of racist attitude normally associated with Mussolinians including clergy and Bishops. He worked very hard to lay a very strong foundation for the Catholicism in Kuwait. He created a very good rapport with the ruling family of Kuwait. He was a great lover of Goan Catholic community that was responsible to serve Kuwait Church from the beginning. Goa is called Rome of the East and during the Lent season, only in Goa Motets are sung. Bishop Stella loved listening to Motets sung in the Cathedral by the Goans especially on Maundy Thursdays and on Good Fridays. Motet is an unique form of sorrowful song in Latin describing the sorrows of Jesus Christ and rendered with different voices with very serene and sorrowful music played on Violin, Clarinet and Double-bass.

Monsg. Victor Sam Minguel an Spanish missionary was the second Bishop of Kuwait who came to Kuwait as an Administrator on 4th June 1966 and was consecrated as Bishop at Baghdad by the Vatican Ambassador Monsg. Rutt. Bishop Sam Minguel was a very literate man having scripted number of books on Christianity in this part of the world. One of his books with his signature he presented to me. He was an authority on Christian background and history in this area. During his tenure, he worked hard and tirelessly to repay the loans borrowed during his predecessor for the construction of Holy Family Cathedral. A short stature man with majestic appearance he had great love for the poor and worked tirelessly to help the persecuted maids and other domestics in Kuwait. After his retirement in 1981, he went to India and settled down at Hyderabad where he served the poor.

The third Bishop of Kuwait was Monsg. Frances Mechallef a Maltese by nationality who was consecrated as Bishop at Vatican on 6th January 1982 by the late Pope Paul John VI and in the same month he took over the reins of Kuwait Catholic Church. He undertook lot of developmental work in Kuwait since money was not a problem because his predecessor has already repaid the loans of the Church and made his reign very smooth. It was during his reign that the painting of the Cathedral was done and the 4 Storey building in the Church compound besides residential quarters for the Church employees and for Deacon and his family built. With this developmental work, the Church compound gives a very good look. A few years back, when we invited Indian Ambassador as Chief guest to address a meeting in the Church Hall, on Solidarity with persecuted Christians in India, the Ambassador Sri Prabhu Dayal entering the Church compound, remaked thus “ Oh!! What a wonderful edifice!! Really, it is magnificent.”

Bishop Camillo Ballin is the 4th and the current Bishop of Kuwait who was consecrated as Bishop in Kuwait and about which I wrote exhaustively with photographs of the events in the local daily Arab Times.

During the last half a century the Kuwait Catholic Church was manned by the Carmelite congregation. However, from this year, Carmelites are retired from Kuwait and instead Kuwait Church was handed over to the Capuchin congregation. On Friday one of the Capuchin priests from Aldona Bardez Goa, Fr. Gaspar Fernandes was installed as the parish priest of the Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait, by the Bishop of Kuwait in a very well organized ceremony. This ceremony was also attended by the visiting Capuchin priests from other parts of the Gulf. Fr. Gaspar came directly from Qatar where he served for 3 years before coming from Monte de Guirim, Goa. It is really worth mentioning here that Fr. Gaspar Fernandes is a very good preacher, I witnessed his preachings and found him full of matter on very high and intellectual topics. We are very fortunate first time in Kuwait to have such an extra ordinary preacher. He is the need of the hour. Fortunately for us in Kuwait, we have 2 more preachers whose preachings satisfy the wants of the faithuls and these 2 priests are Fr. Lionel and Fr. Tony of Dom Bosco School. If these priests were to be in Kuwait a bit earlier, many of our Catholics who have deserted Catholicism and embraced other Christian denominations would not have abdicated Catholicism.

On behalf of all the like minded members of Goan and Konkani community, I welcome Fr. Gaspar Fernandes and request him not only to take care of the spiritual needs of the Catholics but also material needs of the down trodden especially the persecuted maids and other domestics in tune with the excellent work done by the earlier Goan and Konkani priest Fr. Gabriel Dias. To protect the interest of the persecuted maids along with me and with the approval of the then Bishop, Fr. Gabriel moved mountains to help the persecuted and abused maids.

Below are the pictures of the installation ceremony and of the Cathedral.

In first picture below Fr. Gaspar Fernandes in front while on second picture he is seen on left side accepting his responsibility as Parish Priest.



Two pictures below showing the front view of the Cathedral.

Down below are the pictures one showing inside view of the Church compound and the other showing the magnificent 4 storey building.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

TIATRO "SOMDIRANT" by RAFAEL DE MAJORDA.

UG SOCCER IN KUWAIT. 34TH EDITION.

The 34th edition of U.G.C. soccer tournament will begin on Friday 22nd of this month, i.e. tomorrow, at normal ground under the auspices of KIFF. This edition is co-sponsored by Gulf Bank – Kuwait.

The first encounter will be at 7.00 AM between Youth Recreation Centre and G.O.A. Maroons while the second will be between N.Y.C. and C.R.C. at 8.30 AM and the third encounter will be between Kuwait Goan Association and Santos Football Club at 9.30 AM.

UNITED GOANS CENTER,
KUWAIT.

‘Incredible’ Goan heroes of Kuwait

By Gasper Crasto, Kuwait

What was football like among Indians a few years back? What is different in football now than those days? How much has football changed now?

The history of Indian football is somewhat the same as a human life, constantly changing. One thing that doesn't change are the great memories of people who have been into the game over the years.

While we all remember matches that evoked of sentiment, generally football players are more fond than not of recalling and recounting the past. Do you remember your first match? Your first goal? The first time someone whacked your shin (nollo) with their boot? The storytelling, good memories, and shared experiences become part of the lore of the sport and part of what gets passed on to new players and youngsters.

Arguably the most popular game on earth and among Goans, football has unified and encouraged individuals, villagers and communities among the expatriates in Kuwait. For most, football is not just a game, but an event with a wide spectrum of influence. Indeed, for many years, almost every Goan here has enjoyed kicking a ball.

More than just a sport, football here is a ‘cultural’ phenomenon in which the village dramas and individual athletic rivalries are played out sparking the imagination and passion of many players and spectators.

The growth of football here, by and large, is probably tied to the Goan traditions. Some traditions have survived through the telling of stories by people who remember the ‘good old days’ and are willing to talk about them. Others are lost until someone digs back and the history becomes part of everyone's knowledge.

Among the heroes and history makers among Indian footballers in Kuwait, there was once a club popularly known as Incredible. Read More...

MENINO VAZ AGAIN ON COLVA & THE LOOT.

Menino Vaz
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 8:30 PM
To: goa.kranti@gmail.com

Camilo, well done mate!! Initially I thought that no one was supporting the cause of fighting against this evil Priest Fr Diogo Fernandes who is now supported by the Bishop Rev Filip Neri Ferrao. The Goan community needs to act quickly. The Devil that he is, Fr Diogo has started a signature campaign forcing people to sign for him to stay on as Parish Priest of Colva. Surely Fr Diogo does not want to loose his lucrative job as Parish Priest of Colva Church.

I appeal to Joegoauk, A Veronica Fernandes etc etc to help us fight this evil. I don’t know what footage Joegoauk is talking about.

Thanks Jasper for asking Bab Eldon Carlos to send my post to the Bishop so that the Bishop can answer. But what will the bishop answer when he is trying to shield Fr Diogo who apparently is sending the Bishops share of loot to him? Let me tell you all one thing. Whenever there is construction activity, the Bishop gets 10% of the entire cost otherwise let the Bishop deny this. Even the Sunday or daily collection of money at Holy Mass just goes up in smoke and we don’t know its final destination.

Please Help us guys.. we in Colva need your help to fight this evil called Fr Diogo who is looting us and the Bishop is helping him loot us.

Menino Vaz – Colva

JASPER ON ARCHBISHOP'S LETTER - Colva CD.

jasper has left a new comment on your post "ARCHBISHOP'S LETTER ON COLVA CD.":

Mr Eldon Carlos,
It was nice of you to have the Archbishop letter posted on Kranti. Thank you Kranti for posting that letter.

My only request now to Bab Eldon Carlos to send all the letters of Menino Vaz which appeared on Kranti to the Bishop house and tell them to respond to his allegations and then we would see who is correct and who is not. I am sure they must have read it all but have no courage to respond lets hope you can take the lead to clear the Air.

I feel Bishop house have the responsibility to reply to M. Vaz letter as his letter was published and we the Kranti readers deserve a reply.

Jasper.

CAMILO FERNANDES SUPPORTS COLVA CD.

from: camilo fernandes.

Bishop - Rev Filipe Neri Ferrão - is he a man of God Orrrrrr????
Jesus Christ!! God help Roman Catholics. Is this Bishop a religious head or a Politician or Lucifer in human form? Archbishop expresses solidarity with Colva parish priest Fr Diogo and says that the cause of “our pain and concern is the recently released Konkani audio CD titled, ‘Dogui Bodmas,’ and the ensuing disturbances.”

Commiserating with the Colva parish priest, Fr Diogo Fernandes, who “had to suffer a great deal because of the above mentioned CD: we extend to him our heartfelt solidarity,” the letter commends his self-restraint and his appeal to his parishioners to exercise the same, even in the face of the defamation he was being subjected to.

I Just cant believe it. The scandalous Priest Fr. Diogo is being openly shielded by our Bishop - Rev Filipe Neri Ferrão. Mr. Menino Vaz of Colva has very recently posted the facts of Fr Diogo’s unholy activities which cannot be supported at any cost. At least the Bishop should have conducted an inquiry into the matter to see if the accusations against Fr Diogo were correct. Of course I along with 75% of the Colva Parishioners know that these accusations are correct. The Mafia of the Arch Diocesan of Goa and Daman is glaring at our face. There is not one but several things that are wrong and these Priests want us to sit and watch what they are doing?

Calvert Gonsalves needs to be supported. I see this as a golden opportunity to remove these rotten apples (bad Priests). If we don’t take this opportunity, we many never get it again. The Bishop in his letter further says “Protecting our reputation, defending our faith and our shepherds, ensuring the free exercise of our religion are some of our civic rights.

Defending them against unwarranted attacks is perfectly legitimate.” “Let us remember that Jesus said to the guard who slapped him: “If there is something wrong in what I said, point it out; but if there is not, why do you strike me?” – What reputation is he talking about? We in Colva clearly know that Fr Diogo has no reputation at all. A man who is making money in the name of the Church, having a mistress, is in the process of selling our Church property etc … oh my God!!!

Even a thief has a right to defend himself and is a thief only when proven guilty but in this case why is the Bishop not conducting an inquiry when so many accusations are made? The Bishop says that Jesus said to the guard who slapped him “If there is something wrong in what I said, point it out, but if there is not, why do you strike me?” in this case Calvert has pointed out some of the many wrong doings of Fr Diogo. Bishop Rev Filipe Neri Ferrão is closing his eyes, mouth and ears by covering up Fr Diogo’s notorious deeds as a Parish Priest of Colva without conducting an inquiry. I can now say with great liberty that he must be also getting a share of Fr Diogo’s loot. Otherwise why is he shielding him?

The Roman Catholic community needs to do something very soon. Or else RIP Roman Catholic faith.
Camilo Fernandes,
Colva.

JoeGoaUK on Colva CD.

JoeGoaUk
Sat, Jan 16, 2010 at 10:20 PM
To: goa.kranti@gmail.com

JoeGoaUk has left a new comment on your post "MUCH MORE ON COLVA CD BY Menino Vaz.":
Hi,
If Calvert or any one send/mail me the footage, i can upload it to you tube for the whole Goa and world to watch or anyone one can do it from home PC, sooner the better

ARCHBISHOP'S LETTER ON COLVA CD.

- DOGUI BODMAS
fromEldon Carlos <eldon@behbehanimotors.com>
to"goa.kranti@gmail.com"
date Sat, Jan 16, 2010 at 9:32 AM
subject: CD - DOGUI BODMAS.

Please if you can publish this article by our Archbishop on Kranti..
Regards.
Archbishop expresses solidarity with Colva parish priest

Expressing his solidarity with all, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrão has appealed for peace and tranquillity, reacting to the recent happenings at Colva.

“In the prevailing circumstances, I appeal to everyone, particularly to the faithful in the parish of Colva, to maintain peace and tranquillity; may the Good Lord give us the necessary strength in this serious and disturbing situation. Let us, in our parishes and families, intensify our prayer that all those who have suffered in these disturbances, particularly the parish priest of Colva, may experience our support and solidarity in faith,” says the letter to be read out in Colva and neighbouring parishes.

The letter, to express concern and regret over the happenings that have taken place recently at Colva, says that the cause of “our pain and concern is the recently released Konkani audio CD titled, ‘Dogui Bodmas,’ and the ensuing disturbances.” Commiserating with the Colva parish priest, Fr Diogo Fernandes, who “had to suffer a great deal because of the above mentioned CD: we extend to him our heartfelt solidarity,” the letter commends his self-restraint and his appeal to his parishioners to exercise the same, even in the face of the defamation he was being subjected to.

The letter also appreciates the support the parishioners of Colva extended to their priest and said that this revealed how highly they value their faith, their shepherd and their religious standards. However, the letter stresses the efforts they put in to see that such attempts are not repeated is to be “underscored.” However it cautions on violence: “A word about the violence that erupted on the occasion. Violence is not a way of human or Christian life. Many well-known personalities have given and lived out this teaching. In our own country, we had Mahatma Gandhi, and in America there was Martin Luther King. But we have Jesus! Although He fell victim to unspeakable violence, He did not use it and, in so doing, He destroyed its power. As a man of peace, He triumphed over violence. To cultivate this ideal should be our lifelong programme. We may fail here and there while pursuing it, but we need to rise up from our falls and march forward.”However, it says that this does not stop anyone from standing up for their rights, especially when they are trampled upon.

“Protecting our reputation, defending our faith and our shepherds, ensuring the free exercise of our religion are some of our civic rights. Defending them against unwarranted attacks is perfectly legitimate.” “Let us remember that Jesus said to the guard who slapped him: “If there is something wrong in what I said, point it out; but if there is not, why do you strike me?” It also cautions the artist by saying that it is not enough that an audio CD features great music and mellifluous voices. One needs to analyse the message the CD wants to convey, and to see how it can help spread good and check evil, particularly defamation.

Those who use art to spread evil actually trample art underfoot. The Pope, speaking to the artists last November, said: “Your task, your mission, your art consists in grasping treasures from the heavenly realm of the spirit and clothing them in words, colours, forms, making them accessible.” Many of our artists, embracing such high ideals, keep spreading the good through their work: they have our sincere praise. Unfortunately, the producer of the CD Dogui Bodmas and the artists who collaborated with him did not keep these sound principles in mind and, misusing their God-given artistic talent, placed their own reputation in danger. Saying that all are human: priests, ministers, everyone, “We are bound to fail, some time or the other. Nevertheless, to protect one’s reputation is a basic human right and no one may violate it.

To produce a CD, a tiatr, a movie, a printed text or even a drawing, highlighting anyone’s faults or incriminating an innocent individual is highly objectionable and condemnable. In this context, we strongly protest against the audio CD Dogui Bodmas. It is for the concerned to see that human rights are respected and promoted.”

ASISIA'S GREATEST MISSIONARY. By Valmiki Faleiro.

Asia's greatest missionary - Bl. Joseph Vaz:
From:Valmiki Faleiro (valmikif@gmail.com)
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 12:22:37 AM.
Asia’s greatest missionary: Bl. Joseph Vaz

By VALMIKI FALEIRO

The greatest Catholic missionary produced by Asia was a Goan. Blessed Joseph
Vaz (April 21, 1651-January 16, 1711, both days, incidentally, Friday), is now Patron
of the Goa Archdiocese. He was born in the house of his mother, Maria de Miranda,
at Pulvaddo-Benaulim. His father, Cristovam Vaz, was from Sancoale, where Joseph
grew up. He was the third child of his parents.

Joseph initially studied in Benaulim, then in Sancoale and later in the then capital
city, Old Goa. He was ordained in 1674/6. Of deep intellect, he was already a young
renowned preacher while still in Goa, with rare honours of being confessor and
spiritual guide to Portuguese noblemen and two Governors.

He first practiced and then preached. That conviction enabled ready acceptance. He
went to Mudippu-Mangalore in 1681 as Vicar Forane, an arduous four-year mission
that would earn him the title of ‘Apostle of Canara.’

Dutch Calvinists, who conquered Ceylon from the Portuguese in 1658, persecuted
Catholics and suppressed Catholicism there. With zeal to resuscitate and spread the
faith in Ceylon, Joseph joined India’s first native religious order, the Oratory of St.
Philip Neri founded three years before, in 1685, and became its second Superior. He
begged of the founder to resume the post and relieve him for the mission in Ceylon.

Two years later, disguised as a porter, to avoid arrest, he landed in the island nation
on January 3, 1687 together with Joao, his trusted tribal co-villager from Sancoale,
cook and attendant (“my brother.”) Two other confreres who had set forth with him
from Goa turned their backs in Kerala. Clad in a plain loincloth (the Mass kit hidden
within), his entry must have been smooth, for he was of local skin colour, not that of a
European missionary. The law prohibited locals from sheltering a Catholic priest,
under the pain of death for both the provider and the priest. But Joseph was a man
who, by his very pious presence, made people feel secure.

Braving vicious adversity, initially from the Dutch and later from native Buddhists, he
rekindled the faith ... at times (as in Tuticorin and Jaffna) publicly wearing the beads
of Rosary around his neck! In 1689, Bishop of Cochin Pedro Pacheco appointed him
Vicar-General of Ceylon.

He worked heroically – alone – for nine years, in 11 or 12 missions in Ceylon
(starting two new missions in Puttalam and Kandy) before being joined by his
confreres from Goa. During that lonely decade in an alien land, he must have
followed Apostle Paul’s advice to Timothy: “be careful always to choose the right
course, be brave under trials, make preaching your life’s work…”

Choosing the right course, given his intellect, is what Joseph evidently did. He
indigenized the Sri Lanka church, about three centuries before Vatican-II thought of
the idea, unlike the Portuguese who tried to impose a European modeled church in
Goa, the Malabar and in other Asian missions. His Kunnbi (“my brother”) companion,
Joao, was by now sufficiently instructed to be ordained priest. But no bishop of those
days would dare ordain a tribal in a caste-driven society.

Joseph lived 300 years before his time.

He had mastered the Sinhalese and Tamil languages of the island, by himself,
working late into the night by an oil lamp during his 3-year imprisonment in Kandy.
It is said that both Buddhists and Muslims felt drawn to him. (He compiled a lexicon
for future use by his confreres and encouraged its study by his mate from 1705,
Fr. Jacome Gonsalves, later doyen of Catholic literature in Ceylon.)

In 1707, he organised an unimaginably bold resistance against Dutch domination in
western Ceylon. He issued a pastoral letter to Catholics there to assert publicly their
right to freedom of conscience and protest Dutch laws that forced their children to
attend Calvanist schools and kirk (church.) The Dutch did not yield to the demand,
but native Catholics consolidated their identity.

When the ‘Apostle of Sri Lanka’ died there after 24 years of ceaseless work,
generally in hiding and often in bad health, the faith was once again firmly rooted and
spread in the emerald island-nation. Eminent Jesuit missiologist Pierre Charles called
him “a perfect model of an Apostle.”

Bishop Vianney Fernando of Kandy-Ceylon described his apostolate as an
“unparalleled missionary endeavour” in the history of Sri Lanka. The Archbishop-
Patriarch of Goa called him “an intercessor on our behalf, a son of our race, a
product of our culture and ethos, and a model of our way of being Church.” The
Vatican Postulator James M. Fritzpatrick said Bl. Vaz “remains a Goan; he is flesh of
your flesh, bone of your bone.” Pope John Paul-II described him as “a son of Asia
who became a missionary in Asia.”

His name inspired fellow-Goans in their missions. Notable Goan missionaries like
Mons. (Dr.) Hipolito da Costa (1866-1912) from Chinchinim followed his example in
politely declining the Crosier and the Mitre. Leading a life of humility and simplicity,
an embodiment of high learning and piety, Joseph chose to remain a simple priest
when offered to be made a Bishop by Pope Clement-XI.

His apostolic work in Ceylon, besides the founding of two hospitals in Colombo
(1697) and Kandy (1699) and a network of schools had already been so recognized
in Lisbon and Rome that the Pope’s envoy to India and China, Cardinal Tournon,
brought from the Vatican the recommendation of his bishopric. He thankfully
accepted the ornate ebony-and-silver inlaid crucifix sent from Rome, but quietly
declined the offer to be made Bishop.

(It is for this reason that his standard portrait shows the Crosier and the Mitre in the
background, while he, bare feet but in priestly garments, is shown holding a crucifix
in one hand, the other pointing to the crucifix. The sun and the moon in the portrait
are associated with his advice to his maternal nephew when being ordained priest.
Always face God like the brighter side of the moon; the moon is invisible but when it
faces the sun, it shines nightly light, he wrote in effect to his nephew. A perfect
picture of keeping oneself away from the limelight but focusing instead on the light of
one’s mission. He worked in a hostile mission by moonlight. About the sun/star,
another story goes that the day he was born, his father saw a bright star in the noon
sky. The father prophesied in writing that this child would grow to be a great man.)

Though a man of deep intellect, he stayed away from the then raging Padroado-
Propaganda conflict, choosing, instead, to stay focused on his mission in Mangalore
and later Ceylon, despite personal insults by the Portuguese Vicar-Apostolic, Bishop
Tomas de Castro. Joseph was humble from his very core.

If the famously frugal Spanish nobleman who was destined to become the patron
saint of Goa, Francis Xavier, carried among his personal effects only a pair of leather
shoes, in which he trudged large parts of Asia from Goa to Japan, Bl. Joseph Vaz
walked the dangerous streets of Dutch Kandy and the forested interiors of Sri Lanka
bare footed…

Surviving on the poor man’s food, cunji/rice water, he accepted no salary and if any
donation was made to him, it was used for the needs of the local church or its staff.
Bl. Vaz died on January 16, 1711 and was buried in the church he had built in 1699
in Kandy, Ceylon. The Catholic Church owed the re-establishment of the faith in
Ceylon to him. The personification of her phoenix in the emerald isle.

Bl. Vaz was credited with many miraculous occurrences both in life and after
death, the most spectacular being the torrents of rain in a drought-stricken Kingdom
of Kandy – when he celebrated Mass, to invoke the rains. The venue remained dry
as a bone, even as the entire area around was drenched.

Earlier, while in Mangalore, natives thirsted under a severe drought. He is said to
have struck the ground with a stick. The spring that burst forth still flows at his shrine.
A story goes that a wild elephant charged at him in the Ceylon forests, but as it got
within mauling distance, it stopped and furled its trunk in salute. Another story says
he commanded snakes never to bite a priest … and in recorded history, not a single
priest has ever died of snakebite in Sri Lanka.

More than 200 years after his death, the birth, in medically hopeless circumstances,
of the Goan priest-historian, Fr. Cosme Jose Vaz Costa of the Society of Pilar, was
accepted by the Vatican as the clinching miracle “that cannot be explained by
medical science, worked by God through the intercession of the Venerable Servant
of God, Joseph Vaz,” in the process of beatification of Bl. Joseph Vaz.

Considering his lifetime reputation, sanctity and miracles, his Bishop at Cochin Rt.
Rev. Pedro Pacheco, a mere two years after Bl. Vaz’s death, started the informative
process towards beatification. But, as luck would have it, Bishop Pacheco died the
following year and the process was stalled. Bl. Vaz’s Oratorians then launched their
own process (1737) but it was rejected by the Vatican on canonical technicalities.
Dispensations were granted by Pope Benedict-XIV in 1740 at the instance of
Francisco Vasconcellos, Bishop of Cochin. But, again, by the time the relevant
documents arrived in Cochin, Fr. Jacome Gonsalves, the key witness to Bl. Vaz’s
sanctity, had died in Ceylon in July 1742.

The Oratorians were meanwhile expelled from the island country by the mid-1740s,
their documents destroyed, eyewitnesses either killed by the Indian origin (non-
Sinhala) Nayakkkar dynasty of Kandy or dead from old age. By 1835, together with
all other missionary orders, the Oratorians themselves were banned and became
extinct in Goa. The process was restarted only in 1928 by Goa Archbishop-Patriarch
Mateus D’Oliveira Xavier. A monthly Review/Bulletin was published in Goa in
Joseph’s name from May-1928. The process made strides by 1953, only to die down
again following Goa’s liberation in 1961.

The process was then taken up by the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal TB Cooray,
around 1975, followed by the Bishop of Kandy. Bl. Vaz was compared to the great
Apostle Paul in the Decree of Heroic Virtues promulgated in Rome on May 13, 1989
… until, finally, beatified by Pope John Paul-II in the presence of half a dozen
Cardinals, two dozen Bishops and Archbishops, thousands of priests and religious,
and about a lakh of faithful, in Colombo, on January 21, 1995.

The long road to eventual canonization seemed jinxed from the beginning. The
humble man who declined the position of a Bishop when alive, perhaps himself
resisted his elevation to the altar of the universal church after death! A large number
of statues, urban streets and public squares, postage stamps and First Day Covers
were named in his memory.

During the two centuries that European missionaries were in Goa’s Old Conquests,
the Franciscans built 24 churches in Bardez, the Dominicans built 5 churches and the
Jesuits another 5 or 6 in Tiswadi, while the Jesuits left behind 25 churches in Salcete
before their expulsion. Bl. Vaz, by the end of his 24-year apostolate in Ceylon (the
first 9 single-handedly), left 15 churches and 400 chapels behind … not to speak of
at least 10 churches built after his death in Sri Lanka exclusively to his memory!

The Sancoale Sanctuary

A huge draw today, the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz is of recent coinage. The
Oratorians to which Bl. Vaz belonged was a homegrown missionary order that was
extinct after religious orders were banned from Portuguese territories in 1835. The
order would be consigned to history books but for its star confrere, now Bl. Vaz.

Fr. Isidoro Francisco da Cunha of Cansaulim, former Professor of Rachol Seminary
proposed the idea of honouring Bl. Vaz. In 1908, Fr. Cunha mooted the idea and
even designed in neo-Gothic style a sanctuary at Sancoale. The foundation stone
was laid on April 21, 1909 and the shrine was slated for inauguration on January 16,
1911, the 2nd death Centenary of Bl. Vaz. Lack of funds and the demise of Fr. Cunha
stalled the project.

Threads were picked up by a local priest, Fr. Euclides Rogaciano Dias, his brother
Durante Antonio Dias, and a nephew of Fr. Cunha, Fr. Telesforo da Purificacao
Saldanha from Cansaulim (also the first resident priest.) They erected a much
scaled-down version of the originally planned sanctuary, consecrated on July 10,
1922. Fr. Saldanha chipped in his own money for the construction and laid the firm
foundations for the cause of beatification of then Ven. Vaz.

All his successors assiduously followed in the footsteps of Fr. Saldanha. (Deserving
particular mention are Frs. Pedro Filomeno Soares from Mandur, Urbino Filipe do
Socorro Monteiro from Porvorim and Romualdo Robin Rodrigues from Pomburpa. Fr.
Soares virtually restarted worship at the Oratorian Monte de Boa Vista on the 23rd of
every month, with feast day on February 23. Fr. Monteiro was Rector and Vice-
Postulator around the time leading to the beatification. Fr. Rodrigues oversaw the
reconstruction of the Sanctuary.)

The Sanctuary was raised to the status of a Rectory on June 5, 1954 and affiliated to
Our Lady of Health church, Sancoale. Following the beatification on January 21,
1995, it was rededicated to Bl. Vaz in 1996 and rebuilt and blessed on January 5,
2003. It contains the only known relic of Bl. Vaz, a crucifix, displayed in the Oratory.
It comes from the original prayer room in the nearby paternal house of Bl. Vaz.

The above article appeared in the HERALD, Goa, edition of January 17, 2010

VILLAGE - INN KUWAIT HOSTED PARTY.

On 7th of this month, Village - Inn Restaurant held a dinner party for its patrons and supporters in appreciation of the support it received from them during the last so many years from 1993 when its owner Mr. Scaria started it. Now and since last few years, Village Inn is managed by our two Goans Mr. Francis Mario Vaz from Carambolim and Bosco Coelho from Assonora.

The first party at Village Inn was organised by Tony Correia and as a mark of appreciation he was presented with a memento by Village Inn management.

Village Inn is very popular in Kuwait city among all the nationalities and communities and it provides good service to its customers. Francis being a senior is very popular among the customers since he is known to them more deeply.

A small cultural programme was organised during the party in whcih Gasper Crasto with his wife participated, so also Rosary Ferns, Richard, Lobo, Maria and others.

Francis and Bosco in their speeches lauded the cooperation and support of the patrons and customers and also of their staff.

The entire proceedings was compeered by Mr. Santano.
Village Inn staff along with Francis & Bosco in the centre.

Tony Correia with his wife receiving a Memento.

Konkani Mando performance.

Rosary Ferns rendering his Konkani solo.

Children's game in progress.

A view of the guests seen dancing.

Gasper Crasto and his wife Esperance rendering a song.

A section of the guests.

Cake cutting ceremony performed by Boso-Sponsor-Francis.

Owner of Village Inn Mr. Abraham Scaria.

JASPER ON COLVA CD.

Disgusting is not the word !!!Mr. Vaz hats off to you for bringing the real facts. !!! Can any one from the COLVA community challenge the facts what Mr Vaz has opened up ?

Its obvious that the Bishop house will never response as they already showed their TRUE color when the issue was boiling they came out with FORGIVENESS, U ever think you will get a honest answer from that house which is worst than " WON'T USE THE WORD".

Mr Vaz, keep writing, we want to know the all the real facts.

Jasper/

Jesus Fernandes again on Colva CD.

jesus fernandes
Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 7:31 PM
To: goa.kranti@gmail.com

There are few things to things to reflect on this issue. If somebody has listened the songs very deeply there are few meanings in it that people of Colva should be aware of. The song titled mega project is very exellant cause it has logic in it. After 2002 TCP Act no legislator in Goa raised his concern other than Victoria Fernandes. Know this law really effecting the most villages in Goa and specially Colva. The people of Colva were against to build a new school on low lying land at church. The old Infant Jesus school is in very depleted condition, neither the priest nor his well wishers were botherd to renovate this school but waisted the virgin land. The panchas who were opposed about this idea were booked with criminal offence as an attack on secretary courtesy local minister. The plan was passed in a short time and gave as a birthday present to the priest by our local minister without even revising it. It is a good thing to build a school but keeping old school in a shabby condition is not a good thing.

On one sunday sermon the priest is thanking and praising the local minister and tells everyone should follow his example.This is the worst thing I'm hearing from a priest to follow his example in which way? Few years back in Colva somebody put posters of assistant priest of Colva at that time but nobody raised his concern cause he was not connected to any politician.

We the peole of colva are not rowdy as it has mentioned in some of the media but lately our parish has been polarized by selfish elements.This elements are not working for god or church but to get personal attention. Priest come and go but we the people are buried in same soil.The job of a priest is to prepare a soul to go to heaven and not divide among the people.

MUCH MORE ON COLVA CD BY Menino Vaz.

From: Menino Vaz.
Thu, Jan 14, 2010 at 1:50 PM
To: goa.kranti@gmail.com

Sub: Much more on Fr Diogo & CD Dogui Bodmas

Let me enlighten you with some more material on the controversial audio CD Dogui Bodmas. It’s not the people of Colva that rose to the occasion but some instigated elements, many of whom were paid @Rs 500/- by Mickky Pacheco. Upon viewing the footage in possession of some TV channels (raw footage) in slow motion, there was a chill up in my spine. The aggressive mob contained anti-social elements comprising also the person who Calvert had defeated at the last Panchayat elections in spite of Mickky going forcefully canvassing for him from door to door and his immediate family comprising more then ten persons. Even a restaurateur is prominently figuring on the video coverage. This man is widely known in Colva to be a supplier of girls to Mickky and children to Paedophiles for sex. Hence, Fr Diogo’s mafia tactics are very clearly visible. Fr Diogo denying having nothing to do with the agitation is false. Fr Diogo is shown on 29th December Herald where he is interacting with the crowds in front of the Colva Church.

I have not been able to talk to Calvert but I am reliably told that Calvert took the video footage of his house breaking himself before he was forced to go away from the rear door. If this is true, then we have something like the Gujarat riots. The Courts had convicted people on video footage itself. No gagging of witness required.

In all this, if there was ever a good Christian deed, it was from Superintendent of South Goa, Police – A gentleman called Mr. Allan D’Sa. Allan D’Sa was fair and unbiased all the way. Even the Collector of South Goa, G.P. Naik was at his ass licking best by coming to Colva and appealing to the agitators to stop the agitation. All he had to do was to order the Police to deploy more armed men in uniform. Collector G.P Naik needs to do the ass licking because it is widely known that he has already crossed retirement age and his education qualification certificates are very much in doubt. We are supposed to be living in a so called free India. Free from the Portuguese but see who is taking us for a ride.

The key factor for all this trouble is a dishonourable gentleman called Edwin Colasso, Police Inspector in charge of Colva Police station at the time of the house breaking and bandh and a known chamcha of Mickky Pacheco. Edwin was transferred overnight and that was the end of the trouble. No more agitation, no more road block, no nothing. Even the hunger strike was called off for the want of participants. What disgusts me is that the breaking of Calvert’s house was with the kind cooperation of Edwin. The video footage show cops watching as the house is being broken (obviously upon instruction from PI Edwin). Eyewitness’ told me that Edwin came to Calverts house after it was broken – Got off a motorbike, shook hands with the mob. Edwin asked two of the main persons from the mob – Kam zalem? They replied to Edwin – “Voi, Kam zalem” How disgusting can this get?

There were a handful beating empty tins but no one took notice. The moderator of the Colva Church one Jason Andrade may claim that he is from Colva but was until recently living in Vasco. So this man does not know the pulse of the village. Jason along with many others – mostly people who have settled in Colva (living in flats) were making the empty noise and of course supported by Mickky. Imagine that some of them even demand Calvert to be striped of his Panchayat membership. If Calvert was a rascal, he would not have been elected for a third time in the Colva Panchayat. This explains that there is lot of goodness somewhere.

I want the Goan Catholics world over to know that – as the agitation was going on, our Arch Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrao was seen at Fr Diogo’s office at Colva Church. People like me were keeping watch over the happenings and seeing the Bishop at Fr Diogo’s office was a jolt. A real jolt. Where was the Bishops car? I asked. No car in sight. Perhaps he came walking? No he did not. He had parked his car at the rear of the Church (on the Post office side). How sick can one get? Especially when one is a Bishop. This only shows that this whole set up is a Mafia ring where lucrative postings come at a cost. What cost? I do not know but would surely want to know.

At the last weekend the Arch Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrao sent a letter to be read at the Sunday mass at most of the Churches in south Goa. It said that Fr Diogo had to suffer a great deal because of the audio CD Dogui Bodmas. Everything about sympathising with Fr Diogo but “No inquiry”. No inquiry to see whether anything containing in the CD is true so that corrective measures can be taken. An allegation of a Priest coming to a Parish with a girlfriend is not a petty allegation. That This priest is not accounting for donations received for the Church school is not petty too. The Church is all the time talking about Democracy. If they want others to function democratically, why are they Dictators? So many questions remain unanswered. There are still no arrests made of the persons who broke the house of Calvert.

In a short while I am suppose to lay my hand on the two letters that Calvert Gonsalves had sent to Fr Diogo which I am told were also sent to all the Churches in Goa. The letters that I had referred to in my previous post.

Menino Vaz

CARDOSO ON COLVA CD.

From: cardozo lovelinab
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 11:14 AM
To: goa.kranti@gmail.com

SUB: MORE ON COLVA CD, PRIEST & CHURCH.

From: Menino Vaz Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 1:56 PMTo: goa.kranti@gmail.com

Many Facts of Fr Diogo and the controversial audio CD “Dogui Bodmas”. I appreciate you Mr. Menino Vaz.

You brought out the real facts and figures, in near future I expect Priests to join the politics, they have changed all the rules of the catholic church, what our past priests have done is all replaced by new rules by the head of church and i am against on all these new changes. They are become very powerful rulers, nobody can question them, nobody can overpower them, what they say and do is final.

One more time I congratulate Menion Vaz beacuse these elements were important to know by the people of Colva and whole of Goa who are unaware of these factors and I Hope you will post the two letters you mentioned.

Lovelina Barboza

FLORIAN LOBO ON CONTROVERSIAL COLVA CD.

From Floriano <floriano.lobo@gmail.com>
To GoenchimXapotam@yahoogroups.com
cc Empregad Luis <empregad@gmail.com>

goa.kranti@gmail.com

DateTue, Jan 12, 2010 at 12:43 PM.
Subject: Re: [GoenchimXapotam] Fwd: MORE ON COLVA CD, PRIEST & CHURCH http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/mailed-by gmail.comsigned-bygmail.com

The following is my correspondence with Cecil Pinto when he sent the lyric of one of the songs. I had said then that I will support Calvert if he has the necessary proofs about Fr. Diogo. With this post of Menino Vaz, this is as good a proof as can be. There are good priests and there are bad priests. And Fr. Diogo seems to be an arrogant bad priest. He and all those higher ups who are shielding him should be exposed to exorcise the Church from the bad name it is being given.

Cheers,
Floriano goasuraj www.goasu-raj.org

PS: Our local parish priest wanted me to join the priesthood when I was in school. He pressurized me, my mother to no end. But he couldn't approach my father who hated secular priests (as this order is called). He always used to say that if any of my sons want to be a priest, let him leave the house and go after Jesus Christ. I will see that he does not get the share of the property, ever. Indeed, as I have said earlier, some priests are master politicians. They can even sell Jesus Christ at a loss when they want :-))
PPS: Goa's Need of the Hour ....................What's Zat??? ...................?? ----- Original Message --

--- From: "floriano" <floriano.lobo@gmail.com>To: "Cecil Pinto" <cecilpinto@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 10:18 PMSubject: Re: Controversial song from CD that created the ruckus in Colva

> Cecil,> I think this is libel clear cut since Fr. Diogo is named here.> However, Calvert must be having something up his sleeves and not a damn fool > to have gone vocal and public with this dynamite.> >

I will support Calvert anytime if he can prove all those things he has said > about this priest whether people of Colva (chamchas of the Padri agree or > not) as this is as good a case as ever to censure the Catholic Church in Goa > which I feel is moving in more than one direction and cannot support a very > strong leader at the helm, libel or not. Ex. Fr. Conceicao Silva.> > Cheers> flo. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Cecil Pinto" <cecilpinto@gmail.com>> To: <cecilpinto@gmail.com>> Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 9:40 PM>

Subject: Controversial song from CD that created the ruckus in Colva> > >> TRACK 2 of the CD titled 'DOGUI BODMAS'>>>> (some errors)>>>>>>

Ek padri mhuntlear Devachea nodren poi tum ani aum.>>
Bhietalea ghevun eka padrichem nanv>>
padri rostean chollon veta zalear vochun tachea haticho geiet ummau>>
Tedna amchem chodd mozbut asleam tem devassaum.>>>>>>

Padri zavop mhunnchea hea sounsarant sodanch tankam vhodlo aslo man>>
Borem kam korun lokank sekoun dieat Devachea nanvant>>
Padri soddanch mannant lektaleat Dormacho vhoddli vhodd thoseach lhan.>>
Punn atam thodea padrinim poiet sarkich kelea ghann

Adim padri zatoch to aplem ghor ani familik soddi.>>
Khuinchea igorjeak dadunk zal tor Dhormacho vhoddil taka daddi
Devachea mollant borem kam korun, dadlolea zagher panch vorsam tea kaddi>>
Matxeapunn chukleat zalear, Dhormacho vhoddil boddi mari.>>>>>>

Padri zaun nit't rosto choltolo mhunn Devacher hat't dovoru soput dila>>
Punn tem utor samballunk nam, Tacher add ghelea>>
Gaunchea amchea igorjean etana, barabor okleak tum gheun eila>>
Padriponn sod, Father Diogo tum Bhailancho Romeo zala.>>>>>>

Tum eitoch chod politics amchea ghavant>>
Tumi zogddi ghatlint sakramentachea bhailank ani ghovank>>
Lokank kednach kumsaruch korunk nam, focot tum dhuddu magta sermavank>>
Fabrikachim bhattam vikkunch soddta, axeacho, Lagunk tea dundvank>>>>>>

Fadar Diogo poiet oxem sangta Bishop aikocho nam kitech sangla tor>>
Iskollan ekuch bankar bosun ami xikpi barabor>>
Whisky ani Jur nastana poixea divun Nit kortoleanchi jib kelea nibor.>>
Akach lagun, futteo poddleat amchea ghanvchea bhitor>>
Akach lagun, futteo poddleat amchea ghanvchea bhitor>> >-----

Original Message ----- From: Cecil Pinto To: cecilpinto@gmail.com Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 1:43 PMSubject: [GoenchimXapotam]
Fwd: MORE ON COLVA CD, PRIEST & CHURCH http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/
---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Empregad Luis <empregad@gmail.com>
Date: 2010/1/12Subject: MORE ON COLVA CD, PRIEST & CHURCH http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/To: empregad@gmail.com
FROM THE http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/

MORE ON COLVA CD, PRIEST & CHURCH.
From: Menino Vaz Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 1:56 PM To: goa.kranti@gmail.com

Many Facts of Fr Diogo and the controversial audio CD “Dogui Bodmas”
Being silent doesn’t mean that one is weak. The Peace loving people of Colva have been taken for granted by a few undesired elements that have held us at ransom. We have kept quiet not because we are weak or because we don’t have the numbers but because we are civilized and are peace loving. We cannot keep quiet any longer especially when accusations are made against those who have shown exemplary courage to expose the rogues. The rogue in this case happens to be our Colva Parish Priest Fr Diogo Fernandes. Calvert Gonsalves has only exposed the wrong doing of a Priest Fr Diogo in his audio CD “Dogui Bodmas”. No contradiction or defaming or ridiculing of religion is done. So this does not amount to hurting religious sentiments as claimed....

MORE ON COLVA CD, PRIEST & CHURCH.

From: Menino Vaz
Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 1:56 PM
To: goa.kranti@gmail.com

Many Facts of Fr Diogo and the controversial audio CD “Dogui Bodmas”

Being silent doesn’t mean that one is weak. The Peace loving people of Colva have been taken for granted by a few undesired elements that have held us at ransom. We have kept quiet not because we are weak or because we don’t have the numbers but because we are civilized and are peace loving. We cannot keep quiet any longer especially when accusations are made against those who have shown exemplary courage to expose the rogues. The rogue in this case happens to be our Colva Parish Priest Fr Diogo Fernandes. Calvert Gonsalves has only exposed the wrong doing of a Priest Fr Diogo in his audio CD “Dogui Bodmas”. No contradiction or defaming or ridiculing of religion is done. So this does not amount to hurting religious sentiments as claimed.

Let us agree that there is defamatory material against Fr Diogo. When has’nt Fr Diogo and his supporters made the list of defamatory material? Let me do it – One song narrates how Priests were in the past and how shameless some of them have got in recent times. How we used to respect Priests by kissing their hand if they walked past. Its mentioned that in the past, when a person became a Priest, he used to leave his home and family behind and devote totally to Gods work. Then there is a comparison made where this particular Priest has brought his girlfriend along while coming to this Parish. That he is in the process of selling Church Property and looting in Gods name by misusing the Church Alter. (This is happening in many places and I see nothing wrong with this). Another song is a narration by a Priest himself where he says – I passed Metric (SSC) and was very depressed after seeing people unemployed in spite of being educated. At this juncture, I saw some priests making fast money in the name of God so I also became a Priest. Life is great as a Priest because people worship a priest blindly and no one objects to what he is doing in spite of it being wrong. – Well this is reality and there is nothing wrong in exposing it.

Fr Diogo suddenly decides that the contents of the CD match his life and functioning as Parish Priest. What does he do next? Afraid of losing his lucrative posting as “Colva Parish Priest”, Fr Diogo instigates his close Chamchas and gets sleepless nights when he soon finds that their strength is not enough. Fr Diogo allows Church bells to be peeled frantically and threatens to lock the Church and stop Holy Mass, weddings, Funerals etc. Fr Diogo then approaches the immediate family of the person that Calvert had defeated at the last Panchayat elections who were obviously very hostile to Calvert. The mob is soon joined by local Colva Paedophile merchants (those who supply young migrant’s children to Paedophiles for sex). Mickky then joins the bandwagon by buying people from neighbouring Nuvem (his new Constituency) @ Rs. 500 each.

Calvert is pointing out that a particular Priest is bad. This has nothing to do with religious sentiments and going against the Catholic religion. A rotten apple (in this case Fr Diogo) is being demanded to be discarded since he is polluting the Roman Catholic system as a Parasite. The Bishop and Vicar General is also part & parcel of Fr Diogo’s setup of looting in sheep’s clothing.

In short Fr Diogo is admitting that the CD is depicting his life. Instigating follows and Calverts house is stoned where his 78 years+ parents, his 85 years + uncle, his wife and 4 year old child were targeted. Targeted by whom? Persons who the same Calvert had defeated at the last Panchayat elections in 2007 in spite of Mickky Pacheco going from door to door to canvass for this illiterate candidate against Calvert.

It’s a Known fact that Fr Diogo came to the Colva Parish with his lady love who it was alleged has borne him a child. This child now works for Fr Diogo at the Colva Parish office. In “Dogui Bodmas” Calvert exposes Fr Diogo for being in the process of selling our Church Property with disregard to their objections from Parishioners in total arrogance.

As a Parishioner of Colva I am aware as to what extent we have had patience with this Parish Priest Fr Diogo. Everyone is afraid to talk against a Priest for the fear of being on the wrong side of the Catholic society. Hats off to Calvert Gonsalves for getting his resentment in musical form “Dogui Bodmas”. It’s a piece of art that even Tiatrist cannot match. We in Colva are aware that Calvert had written personally to Fr Diogo two letters spanning over two years wherein he had objected to his wrong doings. Both the letters were sent to the Bishop. The second letter was sent to all the Parishes in Goa. I have read both those letters but at the moment cannot get my hand on them. So perhaps at the earliest when I do get them, I will post them.

Who says that a Catholic cannot object when a Priest is bad? What gives the Priest liberty to continue in spite of being bad and after his wrong doings are highlighted? Objecting to the wrong doings of a Priest, does this amount to hurting religious sentiments? We need to ask these questions to ourselves since we claim we are in a civilized society. To help you decide.I suggest that you read on -

1. Fr Diogo came to Colva Parish from Maina Parish near Curtorim. He had already swindled funds by taking loans and donations on the pretext of putting up a new school building. The Maina Parish is still struggling to pay this loan till this day.

2. At the time of leaving Maina Parish, Fr Diogo forced the new Parish Priest Fr Golbert to regularize the services of a lady who was supposed to be Fr. Diogo’s cook. Fr Golbert refused to do that which resulted in Fr Diogo asking the lady to file a case against Fr Golbert for not regularizing her services in Maina Parish (near Curtorim). Till this day, Fr Diogo is running this case on behalf of that lady with her Power of Attorney. He has even gone in the witness box to defend this lady.

3. In reality it turned out that this lady was Fr Diogo’s lady love for whom he has even built a house at Rachol a few meters on the eastern side of the Rachol Seminary. People must know that when Fr. Diogo goes to this house that he built for this lady love, the local children call him “Uncle, Uncle”. Obviously because he does not even wear a cross on his shirt when he not in his white robes.

4. At our Colva Parish he started off by forcibly building a new school when the state of the old school is pathetic. Even the slab pieces of the old school are falling down on the students.

5. The initial estimate to build the new school building was 90 lakhs. By begging even abroad including Kuwait, Fr Diogo has collected an estimated more then 4 crores of rupees which he has not accounted for and refuses to account for saying “who are you to ask me for accounts?”. The begging continues each day at every mass. Names of donors and the amount donated is announced but the total amount received is not announced.

6. Fr Diogo has even stopped Sunday Mass at the various village Chapels where the old people find it convenient to attend Holy Mass. The irony is that the people arrange their own Priests to celebrate Holy Mass at these Chapels so Fr Diogo does not have the burden of sending a Priest from the Colva Church. And yet, Fr Diogo stops the Sunday Mass at these Chapels. He even demands the money Collection. I know for myself that Calvert and his neighbours even went to the Bishop to complain when Sunday mass was stopped at the Chapel a few meters from his house. I am told that The Bishop took this very lightly and said “I will look into the matter and let you know”. Of course he never got back and the agony obviously grew.

7. At the last “Fama of Menino Jesus”, Fr Diogo was dead drunk while keeping the statue of Menino Jesus on the Alter. In that drunken state, the statue of Menino Jesus slipped from his hand as many as four times. Real disgusting this!!!

These are just a few of the many things that Fr Diogo is doing. Its up to all of us to make a start and rise to the occasion to stop all this.

Menino Vaz – Colva.

Jesus on Veronica's article on Colva CD. VII.

From: Jesus Fernandes <nemo365@live.com>
Tmailto:goa.kranti@gmail.com

The article on Colva CD written by Veronica is very nice. The people of Colva are not rowdy but few hundred people who did this are hench men to a local politician. The people who were doing this act have never worked for welfare of the church. They may be christian but they are not following the theaching of Jesus Christ. In Bible it is said 'whoever has not commited a sin will be the first one to throw stone on sinner'. But here I feel nobody has commited sin in their whole life, so they have started to throw stones on calvert house.

People of Colva are friendly that is why people from all over the world flock to Colva. But of course we have rotten eggs too.This people does'nt look broader side of the picture cause we have to be law obeying people.

Pradip on Veronica's article on Colva CD. VI.

I studied in St. Marys Mt Abu with Calvert Gonsalves, now the center of this CD storm and after reading what u have written and the protests over the issue, I am willing to state that my school friend Calvert did the right thing. Even if his doing so was motivated by other reasons, I do believe priests in Goa have gotten away with sexual perversions for way too long. I do hope the mob comes to realise that truth shall set them free. They are acting no different from those who called for the fatwa of Salman Rushdie for writing that infamous book.

Pradip Francis Rodrigues

Joaquim Coelho on Veronica's article on Controversial CD. V.

From: Joaquim Coelho
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 6:30 AM
To: goa.kranti@gmail.com

Bravo Veronica,

I admire your articles for you are the only Goan writer who has the courage to take up burning issues.You have exposed some of the wrongdoings perpetrated by our modern day priests who are out to make quick buck. Keep writing such interesting articles. Please post my views in your blog.

Regards,
Joaquim.

It is really shocking to see how some of the supporters of the two beleaguered priests have gone on rampage, thereby disrupting life in Colva and other neighbouring villages. It is rather foolhardy to demand the arrest of Calvert and his troupe. The supporters of the two priests should have staged a dharna in either Margao or Panaji to drive home their point. The two priests who claim that they are innocent, should have faced the consequences by taking up the challenge to their so-called detractors and not pack off their bags. By deciding to quit the parish at the mere allegation makes one raise eyebrows. If they felt that there was a mud slinging campaign launched against them, then I reckon they should have tried to address the issue through the proper channel and not rely on their supporters.

As the writer earlier mentioned that Calvert and troupe have gained huge publicity from this whole sham exercise and they must be thanking their stars for that. A CD that would have virtually gone unnoticed, has now been thrust on the world stage...thanks to the petty mentality of the priests and their supporters. The onus is on the Church to look into the matter and ensure that the allegations are laid to rest for once and for all.

I am not saying that the two priests are guilty but what I am trying to say is that the whole thing could have been handled without the need for people to come on to the streets. I hope the church will do some soul-searching and try to prevent such incidents in the future. There is really a crying need for reforms in some of the church laws.

Dev Borem Korum.
Joaquim Coelho.

UGC SOCCER TOURNEY DRAW.

UGC Soccer Tourney.

The draw for the 34th Edition of the United Goans Centre soccer tournament will be held on 8th Jan 2010 at 9:00 am, at Shuwaikh Ground (MOH). UGC rolling trophy football tournament starts on 22nd Jan. 10, under the auspices of the Kuwait Indian Football Federation.

Thank you.
Tony Gonsalves.

Carmo Santos on Contrvoversial CD. IV.

CHURCH & PRIESTS SUPPORTED ROWDISM IN COLVA.‏
From: Santos Carmo (carmosan50@hotmail.com)
Sent: Sunday, January 03 2010.

What are these Colvakars & Navelkars doing during Christmas Festive Season 2009-2010 ? Why are they involved in sex and rowdism?? In general what are we compared to??? Bajrang Dal? or Shiv Sena ???? and what is the difference between Macazana Priest Muder and the Colva Sex Scam????

CHURCH & PRIESTS SUPPORTED ROWDISM IN COLVA.
"And he came and saw the people gathered there, near his house with Sticks and Bamboos ready to attack those who damaged his house against his preaching on human equality and against apartheid". Martin Luther King the Civil rightist in USA, 50 years back was using the Church Pulpit to preach evils of apartheid and since the Whites could not bear to accept this, they came and damaged his house. When Martin Luther King got this news in the Church, he came home immediately and saw his supporters ready with their weapons to destroy the Whites. When Martin Luther came out of his car, he told his supporters sternly but humbly “keep your weapons down, down with Sticks and Bamboos because Sword begets Sword”. Martin Luther made use of his Christian principles to make peace and he succeeded in averting chaos and disorder. Peacemaking is the doctrine of Christianity and as a Baptist Christian Congregation Pastor, Martin Luther King in reality practiced it.

As per the information received, Colva Church priests were scandalized in CD “Dogui Bodmas” produced by Calvert Gonsalves and as a mark of protest against this CD, the priests from Colva Church were leaving the Church. In support of the priests some residents of Colva and may be under the instigation of the priests stoned the house of Gonsalves and also damaged his two wheelers and Garage besides carrying out immense disorder in Colva. By doing this type of rowdism, Colvakars did more damage to Christianity than what the damage Gonsalves and his singing troupe did thru their songs scandalizing the priests.

More on controversial CD. lll.

Eldon has left a new comment on your post "CHURCH & PRIESTS SUPPORTED ROWDISM IN COLVA.":

NEVER PUT PEN TO PAPER AGAISNT THE CHURCH OR PRIESTS!. They are the Messengers of God and are the few chosen ones. One should never put pen to paper against our church doctrine. All of those that are slurring the reputation of this holy Church & the holy man will someday be accountable to the Creator of all of us, whether they believe in Him or not.Whilst there are "bad people" in every organisation, I do not think the Priests are one of them. We should try to live life in ‘Harmony’ to blend and get together in a positive way. Unity, togetherness and peace.It can be a struggle to achieve it but keep trying!
Regards,
Eldon CarlosQ8

Another reply to Veronica's article on controversial CD. II.

From: Santan Fernandes <santan4u@hotmail.com>
To: goa.kranti@gmail.com
Date Fri, Jan 1, 2010 at 7:15 PM.
Subject: Controversial CD.

Hi Veronica,
I read your blog with great interest and whatever issues you have raised in the forum are very relevant and I agree with you. Kindly publish my views in your esteemed forum. Thankingyou in anticipation.

Regards,
Santan.

The recent unrest over the controversial Konkani CD is uncalled for. I fail to understand as why Colvakars took to the streets when they could have resorted to more civil methods to express their displeasure. As yourightly said Veronica, the priests nowadays have become so materiaslistic and power hungry that some of them even will sell the church for a few pieces of silver.

If you look at some of the parishes in Goa, you will realize that some of the priests have numerous concubines and some of them roam with their handbags openly. In short, PRIESTS HAVE BECOME HOME WRECKERS AND SOME PARISHIONERS TURN A BLIND EYE FOR FEAR OF ANTAGONIZING THE MEN IN WHITE. If confronted, the adulterous priests say that we are just trying to help them in their hour of need. I have been told by genuine priest that some of the rich parishes are only reserved for priests who have strong links with the Bishop. Look at the parishes such as Calangute, Navelim, Margao, Agasaim, Colva etc and you will find the answers. It is a classic case of as you mentioned: "Tui Kha ani Makai bi di."

As long as the concerned person gets his share no one will have a problem. What I fail to understand is that when we know that many priests in Goa are living a double life filled with adultery and deception, then why these protests. Try to call any well-known priest for a wedding or house-warming reception, and see the answeryou get. Then talk about donation and see the response. It is a well-known fact that some priests are charging exorbitant fees to grace weddings and other social functions. We know what happened at the Curtorim Parish a few years ago. Had it not been for a well-known catholic politician, our religion would have been disgraced. The politician swept the dirty linen of the priest under the carpet.

I think CD issue is being highly politicised by some elements.Take the case of Micky Pacheco, he has come on to the streets to safeguard his vote bank and he has weak morals. He is living a double life just like the priests. I strongly believe that tiatrists like Prince Jacob should have not condemned the controversial CD producers. Prince Jacob does not have the guts to take up such controversial issues. He wants to keep everybody pleased. Is he strong in his morals?

What I feel is that people should leave this issue in the hands of the authorities to get to the bottom of the matter. Let us not be judgemental as is the case now. Colvakars are no strangers to rowdism. The latest incident only reconfirms the theory. I salute SP Allen D'Sa who is a very sincere officer. He refused to visit Colva and quite rightly so. I am sure Allan knows what is going on in the Church domain. Let me tell you that police have a very strong network of informers and they are the first to know.

I hope better counsel will prevail and Colvakars will not resort to rowdism again. I also request our tiatrist not to condemn the CD producers. It can happen to anybody. Let the law take its own course. The ban is a blessing in disguise for the CD makers. It has made the tiatrists more popular than ever. In this dazzing age of electronic media, things cannot be hushped up. I have been told that this CD is already available for download on the internet. I can sense that more and more tiatrists will try to emulate this example.

Keep it up Calvert and troupe.

In reply to Veronica's article on controversial CD. I.

Veronica,
Here's wishing you and your family a Very Happy New Year- 2010

BTW Christianity cannot be damaged in Goa as you are alleging for the simple reason that it does not exist. What exists in Goa is 'Cathoholicity' wherein Christ figures only in name.
:-))

Cheers
floriano
goasuraj
9890470896
www.goasu-raj.org

PPS: Goa's Need of the Hour .......... What's Zat???
----- Original Message -----
From: A. Veronica Fernandes
To: averonicaf806@hotmail.com
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 1:04 PM
Subject: Church & Priests supported rowdism in Colva.
G O A
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--
January 1, 2010

CHURCH & PRIESTS SUPPORTED ROWDISM IN COLVA.
"And he came and saw the people gathered there, near his house with Sticks and Bamboos ready to attack those who damaged his house against his preaching on human equality and against apartheid". Martin Luther King the Civil rightist in USA, 50 years back was using the Church Pulpit to preach evils of apartheid and since the Whites could not bear to accept this, they came and damaged his house. When Martin Luther King got this news in the Church, he came home immediately and saw his supporters ready with their weapons to destroy the Whites. When Martin Luther came out of his car, he told his supporters sternly but humbly “keep your weapons down, down with Sticks and Bamboos because Sword begets Sword”. Martin Luther made use of his Christian principles to make peace and he succeeded in averting chaos and disorder. Peacemaking is the doctrine of Christianity and as a Baptist Christian Congregation Pastor, Martin Luther King in reality practiced it.

CHURCH & PRIESTS SUPPORTED ROWDISM IN COLVA.

"And he came and saw the people gathered there, near his house with Sticks and Bamboos ready to attack those who damaged his house against his preaching on human equality and against apartheid". Martin Luther King the Civil rightist in USA, 50 years back was using the Church Pulpit to preach evils of apartheid and since the Whites could not bear to accept this, they came and damaged his house. When Martin Luther King got this news in the Church, he came home immediately and saw his supporters ready with their weapons to destroy the Whites. When Martin Luther came out of his car, he told his supporters sternly but humbly “keep your weapons down, down with Sticks and Bamboos because Sword begets Sword”. Martin Luther made use of his Christian principles to make peace and he succeeded in averting chaos and disorder. Peacemaking is the doctrine of Christianity and as a Baptist Christian Congregation Pastor, Martin Luther King in reality practiced it.

As per the information received, Colva Church priests were scandalized in CD “Dogui Bodmas” produced by Calvert Gonsalves and as a mark of protest against this CD, the priests from Colva Church were leaving the Church. In support of the priests some residents of Colva and may be under the instigation of the priests stoned the house of Gonsalves and also damaged his two wheelers and Garage besides carrying out immense disorder in Colva. By doing this type of rowdism, Colvakars did more damage to Christianity than what the damage Gonsalves and his singing troupe did thru their songs scandalizing the priests.

I don’t agree scandalizing priests or anybody else in this way but I must also stress here that priests are not sacrosanct and infallible. They have all the rights in a civilized manner to file a defamation case against the culprits but never to instigate rowdism and barbarity to avenge their anger. By doing so those who did rowdism unnecessarily instead of using peaceful methods disgraced Christianity. It is sad to note that the very persons who are supposed to lead the people on the path of peace thru peaceful methods themselves encouraged Devilish action. In the bargain, by creating disorder in Colva, the enemies of Gonsalves CD gave a booster for the sale of CD thereby encouraging more Gonsalveses to embark in the production of such CD’s because priests are more prone to scandals as very many of them are living the life of scandals.

Some of the devilish and corrupt people amongst us are the priests. Many of them have destroyed many of the families in Goa. Many of them are only after sex, liquour and money. Almost every second priest is having a concubine, not one but many of them in dozens. These priests are so shameless that they don’t even care for their respect and sanctity of their priesthood. Some years back in Calangute one School Principal priest was boasting with the statement saying “this child is mine, I have produced her”. Many of the illegitimate children in Goa are the products of the priests. They come to your house as slaves to offer their assistance either material or spiritual but while going from your house they go as masters making your mother, sister and wife as their slaves. In this way they destroy not only you but your entire home.

Some of the most sexually perverted people in Goa are priests. They should be corrected. According to my information, many of the illegal abortions in a particular Clinic in Goa are done thru the referral by the priests only who were responsible for making pregnant these females.
Because of this scandalous CD, the Colvakars opposing this CD wants to punish the producer and other singers. Is it right on the part of Goa Bishop and his affected priests to support suppress freedom in this way? Is there no legal recourse to take? Great French writer Voltaire once said “I fully disagree with what you say, but to allow you to say what you want to say I will do everything within my capacity, even facing death to allow you to say what you want to say, though I fully disagree with what you say”.

According to our tradition and history Church Bells are rung during abnormal time only when there is a danger to the safety of the Church or Church inhabitants. And this ringing of the Church Bells done only with the approval of the Church Priests headed by the Pe. Vigar. Now the question comes, who authorized the ringing of the Colva Church Bells during abnormal time? And was there any danger at that time for the safety of the Church? Surely the priests are culprits. By acting in this manner they have harmed their priesthood and in the bargain Christianity was harmed.

Colvakars are somewhat different people and in Kuwait Colvakars are known to have created damage for the dignity of Goans in particular and Indians in general by acting as rowdies. They are on record to have stopped by force even by bringing their pregnant women on to the soccer ground to stop the smooth functioning of soccer matches at Sour Ground in Kuwait City. In Kuwait, Colvakars are equated with rowdies and rowdism. In Colva, because of one CD, with the alleged pushing of the Colva Church priests, Colvakars paralysed Colva even by burning Tyres in the middle of the road and thereby creating all round chaos. I understand, the Church leader at Altinho Panjim gave his silent nod for the creation of this chaotic situation. Religious gurus and priests must refrain from creating situation for unruly atmosphere. The image of Christianity and sanctity of the Church was shattered in Colva episode. The Bishop of Goa is equally responsible for this disorder along with his priests from Colva Church. To stop this violence in Colva I think we need Martin Luther King. But alas, he is dead and gone and such Christians come to this planet only once in centuries.

Once again the power of Konkani Stage Tiatrists came on to the fore. They have history to create upheavals and revolutions in society and in our community. In political and other fields they shook the authorities thru the foundation. Kid Boxer to express his viewpoint even underwent harsch imprisonement in high risk Nasik Prison for 6 months. To challenge the brute authority of Indian Government Kid Boxer sacrificed his future in Bombay even by losing his lucrative job at Central Railway in Bombay. In this CD episode, I advise the producer and other singers of this CD to be courageous and bold enough to face this brute opposition orchestrated in this way under the instigation of the priests and Bishop as it was given to understand. It is only a temporary phase which will disappear soon.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.