MARGAO
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao on Wednesday blessed and inaugurated an antique pipe organ, a very rare piece in Goa, at the Rachol seminary.
Expressing satisfaction that the medieval-era pipe organ at the Rachol seminary has been restored to its original condition, the Archbishop complimented the Rector Rachol Seminary, Dr Aleixo Menezes, and all others who helped in restoring it. Rector Rachol Seminary Dr Aleixo Menezes thanked Fernando Fernandes, his daughter, Fara and the carpenter, Damiao D’Sa, for restoring the pipe organ.
Fr Mathew Rebello said this pipe organ has its own history and antiquity which deserve special care for restoration, conservation and preservation. “Due to excess humidity, it was deteriorating. The wooden frames had started decaying because of termites, the air chambers were damaged and the metal pipes had started oxidizing,” he said.
Fr Mathew added: “With timely intervention of Fernando Fernandes and his meticulous and skilful expertise, we managed to restore this pipe organ. All the oxidized pipes were restored to their original condition, the chambers were restored, and the decayed wooden frames were replaced. Apart from the electrical blower, a provision is also made for the functioning of the foot-lever in the absence of electricity.”
