CANACONA
Addressing a function in Canacona, Fernandes requested South Goa MP Narendra Savoikar to get authorities to shift the historic Anjediva church to Goa, since the Navy has prohibited devotees from Goa and elsewhere from celebrating the annual feast of Our Lady of Springs (Brotas) on the island since 2005 on grounds of security.
In fact, Fernandes had submitted a memorandum to Savoikar, requesting him to persuade the Centre to allow devotees to celebrate the church feast at Anjediva Island on February 2, a tradition that was stopped by the Navy, which is in possession of the island as part of the Project Sea-Bird along Karwar’s coast.
Savoikar then explained the navy’s position that national security concerns would not permit civilians on the island.
Fernandes then suggested that the government could shift the historic structure brick-by-brick to the mainland in Goa, preferably on government land in any part of the State and not necessarily in Canacona taluka.
According to reports, the original church of Our Lady of Springs on the island of Anjediva, is believed by many to be the first church of the Latin Rite in the East, built in 1506 by Afonso de Albuquerque, four years before he conquered Goa.
The Our Lady of Springs Church, Anjediva was rebuilt in 1682 and the present building was constructed in 1729. Anjediva island was an integral part of Goa, until the Navy was handed over the island as part of the Sea-Bird project.
In a memorandum to Savoikar, Fernandes reminded the MP that the “Anjediva Island was gifted to government of India for defence purpose in 1987 by Government of Goa free of cost. Even the Rs 45 lakh consideration was waived off by the then Goa government at the request of the defence ministry.”
“One of the conditions while gifting the island was that pilgrims be allowed to celebrate the church feast on February 2, and chapel fefast on October 4. But immediately after taking over, naval authorities stopped pilgrims from entering the island.”
Fernandes had sought the renovation of the church and chapel and to allow pilgrims to celebrate both feasts.
“In case both requests are beyond consideration, the people of Canacona and Karwar request your intervention to get get the church and chapel relocated to a suitable place in Goa,” stated Fernandes in his memorandum.
