We as Christians (Catholics) are always faithful in fulfilling our duties by giving offerings and our tithes to Church believing that we give to God, but then it’s not finished, there is a second part for you and me and that is to check on the accounts if the money is used in a right and proper way. We often fail to do the second part of our duty, because we trust our priests. However, it is not so, Bible says in 1 Timothy 6: 10 "certainly the love of money is the root of all evil things". When we fail to do our second part then we put the authorities in temptation for money and then it is very easy to point fingers. Allow me to explain you how the money is used by today’s priests in the Church.
Samuel Martin, a 27-year-old Spanish priest, has been thrown out of the Church after it emerged that he spent up to $23,000 of Church money on a sex addiction and advertised himself as a male prostitute.
The priest spent the money, some of which had been collected in a drive for Haiti, on sex chat lines, internet porn sites and prostitutes over the years he was a priest at two parishes in the small towns Totanes and Noez. He apologized to parishioners during a recent mass and asked for forgiveness. Martin had also posted adverts online offering himself as a prostitute.
"Heterosexual man for women and couples. Real photos. Well hung (15cm) to give you pleasure and happiness," he wrote. "I am open to everything except sadism. Hotels and private addresses. 24 hours. You won't regret it, I will give you pleasure like never before."
The adverts were accompanied by a photo of Martin in grey underpants. Martin was charging $160-an-hour for his services. It is unclear if he had any customers.
The Archbishop of Toledo has confirmed the crimes and told press that Martin will no longer be working as a priest after "these lamentable incidents".
We all know, there are no adequate channels whereby members of the Catholic community can make their views known to the hierarchy. Even the Constitution of the Church, approved by the Vatican Council Fathers in 1964, merely assumed that such channels already existed when, in fact, they did not. Till this day there are no such channels. Consequently, these things have to be discussed publicly in the press.
I was an Alter boy when I was small. Even in my summer vacation holidays I used to go out with priests for blessings of the houses and all the catholic faithfuls used to give handsome money to priests. Now I want to tell you something interesting, when we reached to Church campus I was told not to let this know to any one and I was given some 50 rupees as wages for that day because I carried all the goods of priest, namely holy water, metal cross etc. Now, what did I learn? Or what will you learn from this? I leave it up to you. but certainly as an innocent child I learnt love for money & corruption and for this I am suffering from guilt conscience. Who is responsible for this? Is it not the priest wearing the holy robe of Jesus Christ?
To be upright in front of God and people, it is best to be transparent when money matters are involved. Even the Weekly and Holidays collections in our Churches should be transparent and faithfuls should have the right to know the amount thus collected and how it was spent. Faithfuls are dutybound to know the details of Church money and Church leaders namely Priests and Bishop are dutybound to declare the financial details to the faithfuls unless they have ulterior motive. Otherwise the image of Priests and Bishops will be tarnished and faithfuls will never trust them as Priests and Bishop.
In our Church for every child receiving First Holy Communion is charged as Tax KD 10/- Approximately there are about 1000 children. The total amount approximately collected thus thru taxation first time in our Church will be KD 10,000/- It’s a big amount. According to me it’s a holy extortion. Such Holy Extortions were never done before in our Church. This is the first time an Extortionist priest came to our Church.
Can anyone stop Holy Extortions and taxing of poor Catholics?
Arun D'Souza.
August 16, 2010
August 15, 2010
GOA CHURCH ROBBED POOR TENANTS.
Goa Church under cloud for selling island to resort companyThe Church in Goa has come under a cloud following the sale of one of the river islands owned by the Archdiocese of Goa to a resort developer.
Villagers residing at Vanxim (Ilhas de Capao), a small picturesque island located in the Mandovi river, about 20 km from here, have alleged that the Church and the administration colluded to strip them of their land and sold it to a Bangalore-based luxury resort company at throwaway prices. Most of the villagers of the island are tenants.
Maggie Silveria, one of the affected tenants, who is leading a public campaign to cancel the sale deed executed by the Church authorities and the resort management said: "Our main demand is in the interest of the people in Vanxim, who are all legal tenants. A lot of residents were pressurised by the deputy collector into making representations that the land was not being used for agriculture.
The land has been taken off by the Archdiocese of Goa using unfair means."
"We have made several representations to the church and even met procurator Father Victor Ferrao (in-charge of the church's property). He initially said that he would take the land back and return the money to the resort company. However, the sale deed is already done," she added. Maggie's crusade has received a shot in the arm after several well-known NGOs namely Gakuved, GOAMAP, Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott, Colva Civic and Consumer Forum and Chinchinim Citizens Forum addressed a joint press conference condemning the sale of the land.
The Goa Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964 stipulates that if a tenant does not cultivate his leased field for a period of three consecutive years, it is returned to the owner leaving the tenant with no rights over it.
The island of Capao (Ilhas de Capao) lies in the Mandovi river to the north of Divar island and to the south of Narve, Bicholim taluka in a highly eco-sensitive zone with acres of mangrove forest. There are 78 houses in the village with about 55 families residing on the island.
It is part of the large tracts of land which were gifted to the clergy almost 450 years ago during the first century of Portuguese colonisation regime with most farmers being tenants of the Church.
With the expulsion of all Catholic religious orders, the land that belonged to them were handed over to the Archdiocese of Goa and they so remain till this day.
Sebastian Rodrigues, a well known civil society activist, blamed the sale of land by the Church to a resort developer (not for the first time) on the Church-capitalist nexus.
"The fear amongst the people is because it is the head of their Catholic faith, the Archbishop himself who sold their land for peanuts. This is an insult as well as shock at the same time. But these trends in Vanxim are clearly designed by Church-capitalist nexus towards accumulation of wealth through dispossession of the same from people," he said.
Church authorities, however, have chosen to remain mum over thecontroversial land sale which has generated a buzz amongst civil society activists in the state as well as the large expat community abroad, largely Roman Catholic.
IANS' repeated attempts to seek an official response from the Bishop's House, the official residence of the Goa archbishop, were unfruitful.
Bishop's house official Fr Victor Ferrao and Fr Francis Caldeira, spokesperson for the Archdiocese, were unwilling to comment.
Eldon Carlos.
Villagers residing at Vanxim (Ilhas de Capao), a small picturesque island located in the Mandovi river, about 20 km from here, have alleged that the Church and the administration colluded to strip them of their land and sold it to a Bangalore-based luxury resort company at throwaway prices. Most of the villagers of the island are tenants.
Maggie Silveria, one of the affected tenants, who is leading a public campaign to cancel the sale deed executed by the Church authorities and the resort management said: "Our main demand is in the interest of the people in Vanxim, who are all legal tenants. A lot of residents were pressurised by the deputy collector into making representations that the land was not being used for agriculture.
The land has been taken off by the Archdiocese of Goa using unfair means."
"We have made several representations to the church and even met procurator Father Victor Ferrao (in-charge of the church's property). He initially said that he would take the land back and return the money to the resort company. However, the sale deed is already done," she added. Maggie's crusade has received a shot in the arm after several well-known NGOs namely Gakuved, GOAMAP, Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott, Colva Civic and Consumer Forum and Chinchinim Citizens Forum addressed a joint press conference condemning the sale of the land.
The Goa Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964 stipulates that if a tenant does not cultivate his leased field for a period of three consecutive years, it is returned to the owner leaving the tenant with no rights over it.
The island of Capao (Ilhas de Capao) lies in the Mandovi river to the north of Divar island and to the south of Narve, Bicholim taluka in a highly eco-sensitive zone with acres of mangrove forest. There are 78 houses in the village with about 55 families residing on the island.
It is part of the large tracts of land which were gifted to the clergy almost 450 years ago during the first century of Portuguese colonisation regime with most farmers being tenants of the Church.
With the expulsion of all Catholic religious orders, the land that belonged to them were handed over to the Archdiocese of Goa and they so remain till this day.
Sebastian Rodrigues, a well known civil society activist, blamed the sale of land by the Church to a resort developer (not for the first time) on the Church-capitalist nexus.
"The fear amongst the people is because it is the head of their Catholic faith, the Archbishop himself who sold their land for peanuts. This is an insult as well as shock at the same time. But these trends in Vanxim are clearly designed by Church-capitalist nexus towards accumulation of wealth through dispossession of the same from people," he said.
Church authorities, however, have chosen to remain mum over thecontroversial land sale which has generated a buzz amongst civil society activists in the state as well as the large expat community abroad, largely Roman Catholic.
IANS' repeated attempts to seek an official response from the Bishop's House, the official residence of the Goa archbishop, were unfruitful.
Bishop's house official Fr Victor Ferrao and Fr Francis Caldeira, spokesperson for the Archdiocese, were unwilling to comment.
Eldon Carlos.
August 13, 2010
OUR FOOTBALL IN KUWAIT - REVENGE - HARSCH SUSPENSION.
REVENGEFUL SUSPENSION IN SOCCER TOURNAMENTS IN KUWAIT.
United Goans Center popularly known in Kuwait as UG has created an unique record of starting competitive soccer amongst us in Kuwait in 1979, as a Goan I am proud of this Goan organization for creating something for us in Kuwait. When UG initiated soccer activities for us, they said it was thru football they wanted to spread friendship; their slogan was “Friendship thru football”. Unfortunately, UG itself created a destructive record of kicking this slogan out of their domain when they revengefully suspended G.O.A. Maroons from their tournament on flimsy ground and thereby created enmity in the community and amongst community members. It all happened in 1982 like this:
Marrons that time was the most powerful team amongst us in Kuwait. At Sour Ground Maroons were playing against Flying Arrows which consisted members and players from Mangalore and Bombay and most of them were rowdies. Maroons scored a nice and clear goal, referee Jennifer Rodrigues rightly whistled for the goal and ball was brought to the centre. Suddenly, Flying Arrows members from outside and inside like goondas started arguing with the referee to change his decision, there was heavy commotion on and off the field stopping the proceedings further till referee reverses his decision which referee did surprisingly. Maroons said “we will not restart the match until referee maintained his original decision”. Having no option, referee blew the final whistle as “match abandoned”.
Next day UG executive body members called its meeting and like cousin brothers of Adolf Hitler issued a letter to Maroons suspending it from further participation in their League cum Knockout tournament. Everybody realised it was a revenge suspension. Unfortunately none of the 11 participating teams and clubs nor senior members of the community tried to take side of Maroons by supporting it against this suspension. Tension then started mounting high in the community, enmity and revenge started taking roots in certain segments of the community. There was confusion and chaos in the community. But nobody told openly UG that their decision was too harsh and unwarranted. However, UG wanted to take revenge on Maroons and finish Maroons fro Sour Ground thru this suspension. Since Sour ground was open for all, Maroons with the support of Mercedes Boys of Goan origin initiated an independent tournament naming it as Mercedes Cup, participating teams were 6 and it turned out to be a great success since Mercedes Company in Kuwait also assisting in its promotion.
After Maroons received suspension letter from UG, executive body members of Maroons met at Ratymond D’Sa’s residence to take stock of the situation. During this important meeting Raymond D’Sa as president of G.O.A. and the late Domnick Correa as Manager of the Team expressed their deep regret on associate clubs and teams and even influential members of the community for not supporting Maroons and said “It is very hurting that none of the participating teams and clubs supported us against this suspension”. While expressing his feelings, Correia was on tears. It was very saddening to know at that time that none of the Goan teams questioned UG for so harshly suspending G.O.A.Maroons.
Now there is heavy commotion going on in Kuwait amongst us created by adamant attitude of KIFF because KIFF wants not only to suspend IFF members but it looks KIFF even wants to finish from this planet all the IFF members with the brute power it has. During its meeting on this topic last week, KIFF passed a resolution not to accept IFF members in its fold back without paying heavy penalties as indicated in this forum earlier. These penalties are too harsh which will create more enmity and disorder in the community and to face this chaos none of the KIFF members of Goan origin is capable. This is not the time to impose such Hitlerian penalties, this is the time for reconciliation peacefully. According to my information, Raymond D’Sa and Tony Correia the son of late Domnick Correia were present for the last week KIFF meeting but did not utter a single word against the suspension of IFF members. It was very surprising to know that when we get a kick on our back we long for support from others but when others get a kick on their back we as crooks remain silent.
Formation of IFF last year by some KIFF members according to me was a wrong decision but that does not mean that they should be debarred from rejoining the parent body this year. By forming IFF, it has not violated any part of KIFF Constitution, according to one source in IFF and if this is the case then IFF has not committed a crime on KIFF by forming IFF. Currently in this dispute between KIFF and IFF, the peace in the community is spoiled. Some members of the KIFF think that they are ruling FIFA. Even FIFA’s verdict would not be as harsh as it was of KIFF. Good that IFF members are not employed and sponsored by the KIFF otherwise all the IFF members would have been by now deported by KIFF.
KIFF should try to soften its mood for the good in the community before atmosphere in the community is become foul when things will go out of hand and for which people would hold Goans in KIFF responsible. Non Goans in KIFF are not interested in Goan unity. The disunity of Goans is the pleasure of Non-Goans. We all must know that this is not our country, one day we all have to leave Kuwait and that day may be tomorrow only, either gracefully or disgracefully. But while we are here in Kuwait and when we get an opportunity to do something good for the cause of community we should do, keeping aside our personal revenge and ego. By the way, what is our pride in Kuwait Oh idiotic minded Goykara? Who cares for your job, position and money in Kuwait? Dont you know that you are considered in this society as "Hindi Muskin?" Shameless you are and yet you think you are shameful. Do something good so that you will be remembered for posterity. After all, we must know what Shakespeare has said ”the good that man doet often interred with the bones while evil always remaineth after him”.
In Goa, Goans are selling Goa thru the sale of Goan land to Non Goans mainly from Mumbai, Delhi and Punjab while in Kuwait some bastardised Goans are selling the interests of Goans to Mumbaikars, Delhikars, Punjabkars, Munglurkars and Keralkars.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
United Goans Center popularly known in Kuwait as UG has created an unique record of starting competitive soccer amongst us in Kuwait in 1979, as a Goan I am proud of this Goan organization for creating something for us in Kuwait. When UG initiated soccer activities for us, they said it was thru football they wanted to spread friendship; their slogan was “Friendship thru football”. Unfortunately, UG itself created a destructive record of kicking this slogan out of their domain when they revengefully suspended G.O.A. Maroons from their tournament on flimsy ground and thereby created enmity in the community and amongst community members. It all happened in 1982 like this:
Marrons that time was the most powerful team amongst us in Kuwait. At Sour Ground Maroons were playing against Flying Arrows which consisted members and players from Mangalore and Bombay and most of them were rowdies. Maroons scored a nice and clear goal, referee Jennifer Rodrigues rightly whistled for the goal and ball was brought to the centre. Suddenly, Flying Arrows members from outside and inside like goondas started arguing with the referee to change his decision, there was heavy commotion on and off the field stopping the proceedings further till referee reverses his decision which referee did surprisingly. Maroons said “we will not restart the match until referee maintained his original decision”. Having no option, referee blew the final whistle as “match abandoned”.
Next day UG executive body members called its meeting and like cousin brothers of Adolf Hitler issued a letter to Maroons suspending it from further participation in their League cum Knockout tournament. Everybody realised it was a revenge suspension. Unfortunately none of the 11 participating teams and clubs nor senior members of the community tried to take side of Maroons by supporting it against this suspension. Tension then started mounting high in the community, enmity and revenge started taking roots in certain segments of the community. There was confusion and chaos in the community. But nobody told openly UG that their decision was too harsh and unwarranted. However, UG wanted to take revenge on Maroons and finish Maroons fro Sour Ground thru this suspension. Since Sour ground was open for all, Maroons with the support of Mercedes Boys of Goan origin initiated an independent tournament naming it as Mercedes Cup, participating teams were 6 and it turned out to be a great success since Mercedes Company in Kuwait also assisting in its promotion.
After Maroons received suspension letter from UG, executive body members of Maroons met at Ratymond D’Sa’s residence to take stock of the situation. During this important meeting Raymond D’Sa as president of G.O.A. and the late Domnick Correa as Manager of the Team expressed their deep regret on associate clubs and teams and even influential members of the community for not supporting Maroons and said “It is very hurting that none of the participating teams and clubs supported us against this suspension”. While expressing his feelings, Correia was on tears. It was very saddening to know at that time that none of the Goan teams questioned UG for so harshly suspending G.O.A.Maroons.
Now there is heavy commotion going on in Kuwait amongst us created by adamant attitude of KIFF because KIFF wants not only to suspend IFF members but it looks KIFF even wants to finish from this planet all the IFF members with the brute power it has. During its meeting on this topic last week, KIFF passed a resolution not to accept IFF members in its fold back without paying heavy penalties as indicated in this forum earlier. These penalties are too harsh which will create more enmity and disorder in the community and to face this chaos none of the KIFF members of Goan origin is capable. This is not the time to impose such Hitlerian penalties, this is the time for reconciliation peacefully. According to my information, Raymond D’Sa and Tony Correia the son of late Domnick Correia were present for the last week KIFF meeting but did not utter a single word against the suspension of IFF members. It was very surprising to know that when we get a kick on our back we long for support from others but when others get a kick on their back we as crooks remain silent.
Formation of IFF last year by some KIFF members according to me was a wrong decision but that does not mean that they should be debarred from rejoining the parent body this year. By forming IFF, it has not violated any part of KIFF Constitution, according to one source in IFF and if this is the case then IFF has not committed a crime on KIFF by forming IFF. Currently in this dispute between KIFF and IFF, the peace in the community is spoiled. Some members of the KIFF think that they are ruling FIFA. Even FIFA’s verdict would not be as harsh as it was of KIFF. Good that IFF members are not employed and sponsored by the KIFF otherwise all the IFF members would have been by now deported by KIFF.
KIFF should try to soften its mood for the good in the community before atmosphere in the community is become foul when things will go out of hand and for which people would hold Goans in KIFF responsible. Non Goans in KIFF are not interested in Goan unity. The disunity of Goans is the pleasure of Non-Goans. We all must know that this is not our country, one day we all have to leave Kuwait and that day may be tomorrow only, either gracefully or disgracefully. But while we are here in Kuwait and when we get an opportunity to do something good for the cause of community we should do, keeping aside our personal revenge and ego. By the way, what is our pride in Kuwait Oh idiotic minded Goykara? Who cares for your job, position and money in Kuwait? Dont you know that you are considered in this society as "Hindi Muskin?" Shameless you are and yet you think you are shameful. Do something good so that you will be remembered for posterity. After all, we must know what Shakespeare has said ”the good that man doet often interred with the bones while evil always remaineth after him”.
In Goa, Goans are selling Goa thru the sale of Goan land to Non Goans mainly from Mumbai, Delhi and Punjab while in Kuwait some bastardised Goans are selling the interests of Goans to Mumbaikars, Delhikars, Punjabkars, Munglurkars and Keralkars.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)