A blessed time for Sri Lankan pilgrims at Sancoale - Goa

This news report was published on the front page of Gomantak Times dated 15-7-2007 with one photo

A blessed time for Sri Lankan pilgrims at Sancoale - Goa
-By Daniel F. de Souza.

“Blessed Joseph Vaz was fired by the word of the Lord and with this burning spiritual fire within him; he went about preaching God’s word to the faithful in all humility, in the distant land of Sri Lanka. He had a special love and concern for the poor and the down trodden. Blessed Joseph Vaz, set foot in Sri Lanka in the garb of a coolie and went about with his Ministry, preaching faith to the people there” said the Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao in his touching homily at the special Eucharistic celebration held for the 35 visiting pilgrims from Sri Lanka at the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz, at Sancoale, on Tuesday morning. Rev. Fr. Eremito Rebello, Rector, Blessed Joseph Vaz Sanctuary, Sancoale, and Rev. Fr. Roque D’Costa Parish Priest, of Sancoale church, con-celebrated at the mass. The Bishop laid special emphasis on the theme of the mass; “Enlightened by God’s word, Blessed Joseph Vaz radiated Jesus to all”. He further said that we should firmly focus our aim on God and with faith lead our lives step by step. He also reminded the faithful and pilgrims that there is a special bond existing, a super natural bond of faith between the church in Sri Lanka, India and Goa. He exhorted the people present at the Eucharist to pray for the canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz so that the church may soon declare him a Saint. This he said would be a great rejoicing for the people and the church in Sri Lanka, India and Goa.

The special mass held at the Blessed Joseph Vaz Sanctuary coincided with the day observed by the Roman Catholic church in memory of the Polish missionary Fr. Maxmillian Kolbe, who died as martyr in the German concentration camps and was later beatified in October 1871, and declared a saint after canonization on 10th October 1982 by Pope John Paul II. The special mass service was well attended by the parishioners of Sancoale and devotees of Blessed Joseph Vaz. The parishioners of Sancoale organized a fellowship lunch for the visiting pilgrims at the Sanctuary. All the visiting pilgrims were presented with a memento at the hands of the Arch Bishop.

The 35 men and women pilgrims including one child arrived in Goa on 13th Aug 2007 on a five day visit. Presently they are residing at the Pilar Seminary hostel. The pilgrims are hailing from the North Western Province of Sri Lanka, which comprise places like Candy, Colombo, Mathare, and Putlem. This pilgrim visit to Goa has been organized by the Blessed Joseph Vaz, National Secretariat, of Candy headed by Bishop Vianni Fernando. The pilgrim is headed by Mr. Shelton who is the President and Mr. Rogy Corera, Secretary, of the Blessed Joseph Vaz, National Secretariat in the Diocese of Chillow, in the North Western Province. This is incidentally not their first visit here, and both have been regular visitors to the Sanctuary of Blessed Vaz, at Sancoale for last several years. The North Western province has a population of around 2.5 million Catholics, and the Catholic faith is vibrant and freely practiced there besides Buddhism. Regular devotion, mass, novenas and prayers to Blessed Joseph Vaz are held there every Friday.

Speaking to this writer, Mr. Rogy Corera stated that the town of Candy is situated about 117 kms from the Capital city of Colombo, a distance of around 4 hours by road, and is at a higher altitude of around 500 meters above sea level. There is also a rail link from the capital city of Colombo to Candy he informed. Candy is the old capital of Sri Lanka before the British set their foot on this Island country and later changed it to the present Colombo.

It is pertinent to note that ever since, Air Sri Lanka has started their direct flight service from Sri Lanka to Goa and back, there is a regular inter-change of pilgrims from Sri Lanka and Goa to Candy in Sri Lanka where Blessed Vaz conducted his missionary work as well as to Sancoale in Goa, India, where he grew up as a child. Blessed Joseph died on 16th January 1711 at Candy and was buried there in the island country of Sri Lanka. He conducted his missionary work building the faith among the people, with trying conditions and under a hostile Dutch regime.

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Daniel F. de Souza
Konkani Writer & Freelance Journalist

C/3, IInd Floor, Elvira Apts.
Near St. Andrew's Church
Vasco - Goa 403 802
INDIA. Tel: + 91-832-2510714
Mob: 9822163329
e-mail :dannyboy04@rediffmail.com
:danielf@sancharnet.in

"GOD DID NOT MAKE MEN PERFECT, HE MADE THEM PILGRIMS AFTER PERFECTION."
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AN INDIAN COOK MERCILESSLY BRANDED IN KUWAIT

The following article is appeared in today's - 16.08.07 local Arab Times. I am reproducing it for the information of many of our people especially back at home to know what type tortures some of our people are facing in Kuwait. It is my wish that our people back at home spread the contents of this article to anyone whom they can so that all are alerted rightly.

The writer of this article Mr. Al Ahmad Al-Baghli was a former Oil Minister of Kuwait. He is a lawyer and involved in highlighting the harassment of domestics by the Kuwaitis, Human Right Abuses by the Kuwaitis and many such humanitarian issues. He is a great lover of lower strata of society especially of maids and domestics. He is also a great lover of expatriates especially from the sub-continent who are exposed more to the harassment in Kuwait by the Kuwaitis.

I hope our priests and other social workers will also spread this news thru their sermons and thus educate the people of the ills in Kuwait.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

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"A COOK, a ‘slave’ ….. burnt hopes.

By Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli.
Former Oil Minister of Kuwait.

THE following is a true story which happened in Kuwait some days ago. This is a good reply to those who defend Kuwait against accusations of inhuman treatment meted out to domestic maids and human trafficking. This happened in a society which we like to say is generous and has good faith.

An Indian cook works for a Kuwaiti family, which is known for organizing Hajj caravans every year. The cook managed to bring his son, who looks like his father and has a nice smile on his face all the time, to work as a domestic helper for another Kuwaiti family.

But within a few days the happy face of the son turned gloomy. He told his father that his master beats him regularly and gives instructions in Arabic, which he doesn’t understand. As he could not follow his master’s instructions correctly, the master thought the domestic helper was stubborn and making mistakes deliberately. This miscommunication happens all the time in the country.

As this inhuman treatment went on, the father advised his son to go the recruiting office to find another sponsor. When he came to know of this the master became hysterical and went to the office to claim the “slave” he had bought. He took the helper to his home, tied him up, locked him in a room, and branded the poor boy with a heated iron, like shepherds brand their camels. Such incidents used to happen in ancient times when masters branded their slaves to prove their ownership.

The poor boy managed to escape from this prison and went to his father and asked him to find a lawyer to file a case against the slave master of the 21st century. At this point the Kuwait Human Rights Society got into the act and filed a case against the sponsor. However, soon they found out that the sponsor had already filed a case against the domestic claiming he was absconding. Maybe the master was safe in the knowledge that the unfair laws of Kuwait implemented by the book by the Interior Ministry would stand on his side.

In this scenario we want to pose a direct question to Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, who is concerned with Kuwait’s poor track record on human rights: what do you expect this boy to do after being beaten and burned by his sponsor? How much more suffering and torture should he put up with to ensure no case is filed against him? Where are the shelter homes which you promised international organizations to build soon, for such cases?

Such questions and information on similar cases are not grabbing the attention of any government department or religious activists, who work day and night urging people to abide by high moral principles.

May be this case doesn’t belong to their high ethics because according to their traditions and culture slaves are to be treated with a stick".

CHURCH & GOAN POLITICS.

CHURCH & GOAN POLITICS.

Goa was rightly called the Rome of East. Catholicism played a major role in influencing Goans either Catholics or Hindus or Muslims. Because of the influence of Christian values on Goans thru Catholicism, though Christians were in minority in Goa, irrespective of their religious affiliations, Goans were considered as good people, good at heart, good at mind, good in actions, sincere, truthful and faithful compared to anyone in India. When I first entered in Kuwait, I went for an interview at a place called Ahmadi where the Boss was a Muslim Arab. Along with me there were others mainly from Kerala and Muslims too. Inspite of my weak performance during an interview, I was selected . The reason? As mentioned by him, because I am a Goan having all the best attributes as indicated above. Surprise! Even Arabs knew of our high caliber character and discipline as against that of Malyalis who in general are disliked not only in Kuwait but anywhere in the world. Normally they are rude, ungratefuls and cunning number one. The survival of many of them depends only on being cunning. While coming they come as slaves but while going they go as masters. They are on the verge of gaining upper hand in Goa because of their cunning attributes. After the exit of Portuguese from Goa, they came to Goa as slaves and by capitalizing on the softness and kindness of innocent Goans of those days, are becoming masters of Goa now.

While on his death bed, the great son of Goa and an intellectual of highest degree Monsg. Philiph Neri Mendonca, popularly known as Fr. Mendonca who was the Principal of First Goan English High School Arpora under whom during those days major part of Goan youth got educated either as boarders or day scholars, told his Vice Principal Fr. Peter D’Souza at Remanso Hospital Mapusa, in August 1966 that he was not afraid to die but he was afraid to see the Goan youth going stray. He knew Goa and Goan youth would be simply gulped by the corrupt non-Goans entering Goa in the name of liberation and due to this influx of corrupt non-Goans into Goa, Goan youth would be influenced by the corrupt attributes of the non-Goans. During those days Church instructions and Diocesan Schools used to frame the minds of the Goan youth in right direction. This was happening because the Church leaders mainly the priests had very high caliber and moral character inherited from their morally upright family background.

During those days priesthood was the vocation and a gift of God but nowadays in many cases it is a status symbol, business venture and also road to perform corruption. In my School there was a boy who used to tell me confidentially that he wants to join Seminary and become a priest because he wants to gain maximum benefits in life. When I asked him how? His answer was that “Priesthood is the road to attain all the worldly pleasures”. Then he went on, “when you become a priest, you externally show that you are a holy man but internally you gain whatever you want”. When I further insisted to elaborate the worldly benefits, he said, “(1) Illict money from the Weekly Church collection (2) Illicit Sex because all the “chalu” ladies will come to you to confess their illicit sex from where you can come to know who is “chalu” and accordingly you prowl on sexually weak ladies without even having the services of pimps (3) Wielding of enormous influence over the locals (4) Create any project for the locals and get donations from inside and outside and pocket half of it for your personal luxuries such as Luxurious Cars, Expensive Drinks, keeping innumerable concubines, supporting “goonda” force etc.

What is happening now in Goa about our politicians? Digambar Kamat is not a genuine secular. I admit it. His Congress Government is not clean either and his Cabinet colleagues are also spurious as proved by their actions in the past. The biggest Sex maniac, once the biggest defector from Shashikala’s MGP and the biggest seller of Government services is in his Cabinet. This is to prove that I am not blindly supporting Digambar Kamat Ministry. I dislike Kamat’s Ministry also because it showed its negative attitude towards Romi Konkani and being a staunch supporter of Romi Konkani, how can I like Digambar Kamat Ministry? Both the tribes of Digambar and Parrikar are equally corrupt with a little difference here and there. Congress Ministry under Digambar Kamat is at least having secular credentials but Parrikar tribe under his leadership is purely a communal and anti Christian in Goa. I have no trust that Parrikar would do justice to Christians in Goa. He has already shown his communal colours during his earlier stint and also safronised Government jobs especially Police force. Secondly those who are trying to destabilize Digambar Kamat’s Ministry are liars, crooks and money extortionists. It is not that Digambar Kamat and his colleagues are any better but Parrikar’s tribe would be worst if got a chance to form the next Ministry. Such liars, such traitors, such crooks should never be allowed to come to power. If they come to power they will exploit the common Goan to their maximum benefits. These traitors and defectors will put everything on sale in Goa for a price and common Goan will have no choice but to surrender to their greed for money and more money. Even sexual exploitation will go high and may be Goa may replace Bangkok and fair image of Goan females will get tarnished. I cannot understand how Churchill, Parrikar, Babush and Co. passed their verdict against the performance of Digambar Kamat’s Ministry when this Ministry has not even completed 2 months in the office?

The only salvation for saving Goa and Goans from their destruction and extinction is for the Church in Goa to come down heavily and rightly in the name of Truth and Fairness to all as preached in Christianity. About 50 years back in one South American country there was one Priest, named Fr. Torres. He was taking care of abandoned youth. His was the missionary work. When thieves and rascals started harassing his good work, after trying all the means he removed his Cassock (Wearing of Cassock was compulsory at that time), carried a Gun and started pointing towards the rascal thieves. When higher authority and even Vatican questioned his prerogative of using Gun against his detractors, Fr. Torres said “this is the last alternative I have to silence those rascals otherwise they will silence my missionary work thereby destroying the lives of so many innocent youth who may turn into immoral citizens which I don’t want”. Immorality leads to sins and sins lead to the road to Hell. To avoid this road to Hell is the mission of Church and its leaders.

The late President of Philippines, Dictator Ferdinand Marcus was ruling his country with iron fist for 20 years. He was backed by the Americans. His beautiful wife and once Beauty Queen was doing all the immoral work to promote the rule of her husband by giving “Lollipops” to the Americans and other world leaders (exactly some of the top Congressmen do by sending thru their wives Suitcases filled with Millions to High Command to protect their Chairs). Because of his arrogance and dictatorship Ferdinand Marcus regime created corruption and thru it immorality in Philippines. In order to support and promote his rule, Ferdinand Marcus and his Cabinet colleagues spread all round corruption in Philippines. Because of this corruption immorality gained momentum degrading the true Christian values in the only and predominantly Catholic Country in Asia. Having no other choice to cure the politicians, finally Cardinal Sin of Philippine came forward and gave a call to the people in Philippines to revolt and to oppose the rule of Ferdinand Marcus. All the Churches in Philippines started preaching on the corruption created by politicians there thereby educating the people from the Pulpits the ills created by the politicians there. The late Pope Paul VI in Vatican got alerted and He visited Manila, listened to Cardinal Sin’s view points and came to the conclusion that what Cardinal Sin decided was right to save Philipinos and Philipinas from the clutches of corruption and immorality which go against Christianity. Hence, revolt against the Government of Ferdinand Marcus which came to total success only because of the fearless Church campaign in the name of Christianity.

Now what is happening in Goa is the road to corruption and thru corruption immorality by Parrikar, Churchill, Babush and their colleagues. Church may not have power and authority to dictate its terms to non-Christians but surely Church and its leaders can reprimand Churchill Alemao, Reginald, Babush and others from indulging in dirty politics. By their indulging in dirty politics of defections and supporting communal forces Church leaders can openly reprimand the Catholic MLA’s. Church has all the rights to reprimand those MLA’s who have betrayed the trust of the voters. Betrayal is the biggest form of sin, thru this type of sin Judas sold Jesus Christ to the Jews for a bribe of Thirty Coins. By betraying their voters, the Catholic MLA’s will sell Goa not for Thirty Coins but for Crores of rupees. Judas did not survive to enjoy the benefits of Thirty Coins. Will our MLA’s survive to enjoy the benefits of ill-gotten Crores? Will their family members enjoy good life? All the Churches in the constituencies of the MLA’s who betrayed the trust of their voters by associating with communal Parrikar must raise this issue very strongly in their daily or weekly preaching. Church leaders, Priests and even Laymen like me got all the rights to speak against this betrayal by our Catholic MLA’s. Church leaders at this critical hour cannot remain as silent spectators unless they are hand in gloves with these crook MLA’s. In the past, during the regime of Patriarch Rahul Gonsalves, Parrikar’s BJP received silent booster, for this reason we are suffering now. Our sufferings are partly the creation of our Church, its leaders and Priests who blindly supported Parrikar earlier.

If Church in Goa cares for the good of Catholics and Goan society in general then Patriarch Neri must issue a notification condemning political opportunism played by the Catholic MLA’s by associating with communal Parrikar and his tribe. He must also instruct his Priests in all the concerned constituencies to speak regularly on the ills of defections by our MLA’s. Political instructions should be a part of preaching in our Churches. Priests may not be allowed to take active part in politics but they have all the rights to guide, advise and direct the politicians in the right path. Priest must educate the masses that defection is not only a moral shame but it is a big sin like a sacrilege. Church is the last salvation for us to save our Goa from the rogue and defector MLA’s who are all out to destroy Goa and Goans. If Cardinal Sin in Philippine can use Church forum to destabilize President Marcus’ Government thru civilized means then why not our Church in Goa? If Fr. Torres can use violent means to challenge the enemies of his missionary work then why not our Priests and Church in Goa? Church should not be afraid of our politicians because our Church and Priests are not living on them but thru the direct contribution and support of the people who are craving for good governance in Goa.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.