Archbishop of Goa condemns desecration of Religious symbols, urges Govt to restore
people's confidence
(March,17,2006) Condemning the spate of violence targeting the places and symbols
of worship belonging to the minority communities, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao
of Goa and Daman , has urged the government of Goa to take prompt and effective steps
and thereby restore the confidence of the people. In a statement released to the
Press on Thursday, March 16, the Archbishop said : “ One more cross has been
vandalized in Comba, Margao, one more symbol of Christian faith desecrated, and the
spate of violence targeting the places and symbols of worship belonging to the minority
communities seems to go unabated. We are indeed deeply pained with this disturbing
trend. In these circumstances, our heart reaches out first to our Christian brethren
in their grief in a spirit of genuine solidarity. We appeal to everyone, specially
the Christians, to remain calm and not to let themselves be provoked by such violent
acts. In the footsteps of our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ, we, Christians, are
expected to be promoters of peace and harmony and, inspired by His supreme sacrifice
on the Cross, be witnesses of love and reconciliation.” The prelate’s statement expressed
appreciation for the solidarity shown by the people of other faiths in rebuilding
the vandalized cross and thus in restoring, to a certain extent, a sense of security
in the aggrieved Christian community of the locality. Stating that inspite of repeated
requests and appeals to the concerned authorities, there seemed to be certain indifference
in tackling the matter and nabbing the culprits, the Archbishop urged the Civil Authorities
to take prompt and effective steps and thereby restore the confidence of the people.