Fr. Bismark is one of the contestants in the forthcoming election in Goa. It is a rare occasion in Goa for a Roman Catholic priest to contest the election but it is not rare in the Catholic world. While supporting this move of Fr. Bismark to contest the election I have to mention here that earlier to fight against injustice Catholic priests in one country in South America took active part in the election process there and 5 priests got Cabinet Ranks in that government. All these 5 priests served well to eradicate in their land the curse of corruption and social injustice. Then on the advice of Pope Paul the VI they withdrew from the cabinet and retired into their full time priesthood.
Earlier to fight against the prevailing injustice in the society, again in one South American country one priest Fr. Torres in a rare incident removed his priestly Cassock, took a Gun and started pointing it towards the goons and thieves who were troubling him in his mission of looking after the young orphan boys. Priests then were not allowed to remove their Cassocks just as they were not allowed to take active part in politics. But due to necessity to fight against injustice prevailing in the society they had to resort to this method.
A few years back in Philippines the total revolution was brought with the lead given by Cardinal Sin. The then Pontiff Pope Paul VI in the initial stages was suspicious of Church in Philippines involving in politics directly but when he himself went to Manila and studied the whole unjust situation prevailing under their president Ferdinand Marcos, the Pontiff was happy with his Cardinal Sin. The Pontiff then said it is the duty of the local Church to fight for justice and Philippine Church demolished the rude 20 years rule of Marcos.
Some of the topmost Church leaders in the non-catholic denominations also took very active part in politics in their respective countries to fight against injustice, namely Bishop Desmond Toto in South Africa and Martin Luther King in USA.
Church is duty bound to fight against the corruption and injustice going on in Goa from the current Congress government. Congress is looting Goa, threatening many people who oppose their loot. Congressmen are acting like Kings and Maharajas by sucking the blood of the poor Goans. Government jobs are put on sale for the highest bidders thereby denying the poor the facilities of getting government employment thru merit without paying bribes. This is injustice and only Church and powerful Goan Church can fight this unjust corrupt system of Congress Raj in Goa.
What I am observing in Goa now in many Churches even at Old Goa, priests in their sermons started advising the people to vote only the uncorrupt candidates and not to those same old corrupt faces who are known to destroy Goa. People in Goa have realised the necessity of good candidates and some are come with slogans saying "communalism is less evil but corruption is more evil". Priest are also telling the congregation that accepting money for votes is a big Sin.
Though a few days are remaining for the election yet no clear picture is forthcoming. Anti Congress wave is sweeping in many of the Congress citadels. People are fed of Congress rule which is full of corruption. They are waiting to teach a very good lessons to many of the old Congress faces on the election day. The real reality will come to the fore only when the results are out.
A. Veronica Fernandes.
