MARGAO
As seminarians from the Rachol seminary descended in the paddy fields on Thursday to partake in the annual sowing operations, the Church in Goa has sent a message loud and clear: that environment is a gift from God, one that must be protected and used responsibly for the wellbeing of the community.
Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Purificacao Fernandes blessed the fields and the people working in the fields as he joined the Priests, seminarians and the lay people in launching the annual agricultural operations at the Seminary-owned fields at Rachol on Tuesday.
The Auxiliary Bishop expressed happiness and joy over the launching of the paddy sowing operations at the seminary and recalled his own time in the seminary. “During my formation years in the seminary, I too joined my fellow seminarians to lend a helping hand to cultivate the fields. These fields and the environment is a gift of God. God has given this gift and this heritage need to the protected and used for the well being of the community”, he said.
In fact, the Auxiliary Bishop made a fervent plea to the people to protect the God-given environment and heritage. “We should protect its, use it for our needs and as well as for the benefit of others”, he added.
Asserting the Church has always taken steps towards the protection of environment, Fr Simiao said the environment and heritage given by God is not for destruction or exploitation but for the common good of the people.
Fr Nelson Sequeira told the media said the cultivation of the seminary fields helps to meet the food requirement of the seminarians. “At the seminary, we not only impart them teaching of God, but the seminarians are connected to the environment to bring a bonding between people and environment”, he said.
Fr Jollison Fernandes said people from Shiroda, Borda, Raia, besides Cuncolim, Fatorda, Sao Jose de Areal will join the seminarians in cultivating the paddy fields. “We go for two crops on these fertile fields, cultivating paddy as well as local variety vegetables such as lady fingers, brinjals, chillies etc, which helps to meet the requirements of the seminary”, Fr Jollison added.
