The recent tirade started by certain anti-secular elements in
Goa against the Church for instructing the faithful not to support the communal
parties in the coming election is condemnable and in fact I condemn it. Church
is duty bound to advise and guide the faithful in a right direction as it did
in the past not only in Goa but also in other parts of the world. When the then
President of Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos brought corruption in his country leading to
immorality, under the leadership of Cardinal Sin of Philippines and with the
approval of the then Pope, the entire Philippines revolted against the corrupt
rule of Marcos and brought in a change of government there.
The late Pope John Paul himself was instrumental in supporting
the Solidarity movement of Lech Walesa in his homeland Poland and thru it the change
in the government there. Besides, there
are so many instances where one can see the Church involvement in fighting
against corrupt rule.
In the last general election for Goa Legislative Assembly,
the Goa Church has vehemently opposed the corrupt rule existing then under the
Congress government and asked the people especially the faithful not to vote
for the corrupt candidates and corrupt parties. This resulted in the downfall
of the ruling Congress Party and coming up of BJP even though BJP is a communal
party. The Church stand then was very clear, to fight against corruption just as it is now,
to fight against communalism which is as bad as corruption, or it may be even
worse.
Hence, it is imperative not only for the faithful as
followers of the Church but even for others also to follow the right guidelines
issued by the Church to reject the communal candidates who as per their party
principles will destroy the harmonious fabric of our society.
Since the 2002 Gujarat
carnage of Muslims under the very nose of Modi, minorities in India are living
in fear of Modi and since Parricar cancelled Good Friday holiday of Christians
in Goa, the Christian community in Goa is also living in fear. Only the secular
elements elected by the secular people will eradicate this fear. In view of
this Goa Church is right in advising the people to elect the secular
candidates.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.
