G O A: SOLIDARITY WITH CALANGUTE BAGA RETREAT HOUSE.

March 22, 2015

SOLIDARITY WITH CALANGUTE BAGA RETREAT HOUSE.

Protest Meet at Baga, Calangute, in solidarity with the Retreat House situated at hilltop Baga, Calangute, Bardez, Goa.

Speakers seated at the dais

In a show of strong solidarity with Baga Retreat House in particular and Church in general, a huge crowd coming not only from Baga and Calangute only but also from the neighbouring villages namely from Candolim, Arpora, Nagoa, Parra and Sinquerim attended the public Meeting held at Baga, Calangute, today at 11.30 AM to protest over the illegal construction of road hampering the stability of the Baga Retreat House. It is illegal because it encroaches upon the property owned by other Party. The director of the Retreat House openly disclosed that he or none from the Jezuit House has given permission to the person from Arpora to construct this road illegally which will endanger the Baga Hillock and may not only damage the Retreat House but it may also collapse.

A section of the crowd attending the Meet

The beautiful Baga Retreat House was built by the Jezuits in 1953 and it is now like one of the Heritage Monuments and as such it should be protected by everyone. In view of this today’s meet to protest over the illegal road construction by the Arpora man with the backing of his BJP minister friend as given to understand, was attended by all segments of Goan society and not by Catholics only. Moreover, this Meet was also addressed not only by the Catholics but also by the non-Christians.

Another view of attendees

It was a galaxy of speakers including priests namely Pe. Vigars from Calangute and Candolim, Rector of Baga Retreat House, Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, local MLA Michael Lobo, newly elected ZP Member Shawn Martins, Arpora Sarpanch, Adv. Aires Rodrigues and others. All the priests spoke well like statesman lending their full support to get justice done, so too the others. It was an unanimous condemnation for the illegalities going on against the Baga Retreat House and full support for it not only from all the speakers but also from everyone who attended this Meet in solidarity with the cause of Jezuits of Baga Rereat House.

Illegal construction

It was very much shocking to know that the mischief maker from Arpora is a Catholic. It looks my enemy is within me only. How sad it is !! Judas sold Jesus for few Coins and we sell our religion for what? To acquire thousands, lakhs and millions? To take it where? To the grave where our kings are eagerly waiting for us to feast on our dead bodies? Why we fail to realize that “dust we are and unto dust we will return?”.

Seen speaking Fr. Robin, Candolim Pe. Vigar

While on this subject, I remember one more mischief done to Baga Retreat House in late sixties when Hippies illegally took possession of this Retreat House and converted it into a den of vices including illicit sex. They were directed to this holy place by one half mad Goan, Tomy by name who later on died a very miserable death.

Michael Lobo seen speaking

When these Hippies who were about a hundred refused to vacate this House, me and a few College Boys from Calangute some of them were Hindus, went to vacate them by our youthful physical power, we tried to force them out but suddenly their number swelled outnumbering us.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues

In view of this, they came with Sticks and other weapons to hit us, targeting me the first but by the grace of God we were saved due to our escaping hurriedly from there. Later on after a few days, some of those Hippies became mad while some others were afflicted with some deadly deseases and a few of them died miserably. Then everybody said “they were punished by devine punishment.