PANAJI
towards two priests at a recent meet in Sonsodo-Margao, church authorities on Saturday insisted on the constitutional right of Muslims to a burial space, as well as the government's obligation to identify an appropriate space and develop it as a burial ground.
In a statement by Fr Olavo Caiado, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, the church authorities took serious note of the turmoil and tension created by an incident in Sonsodo a fortnight ago.
"Priests from the Archdiocese of Goa, Fr Maverick Fernandes and Fr Freddy Braganca, were humiliated and asked to vacate the premises where a crowd had gathered to address the claims for a Kabrastan from the Muslim community of Salcete," said Fr Caiado.
"The organisers of the gathering refused to listen to what Fr Fernandes was saying to them. He had gone there to hear and understand objections the people had to the rightful claims for a Kabrastan on land that was allocated to the Muslim community by the Municipality of Margao."
"His words, spoken with pastoral care and patience, were roundly dismissed with shouting and foul language by the leaders. The leaders also tried to incite the crowd and join them in their reprehensible behaviour. After many attempts to patiently explain the need for their presence, the priests left the area in the hope that the tensions would die down," added Fr Caiado.
Fr Caiado pointed out that Fr Fernandes, who is president of the Council for Social Justice and Peace, has worked with Muslims and Catholics for nearly ten years, creating platforms for dialogue to find mutually acceptable and peaceful solutions when there were any misunderstandings.
"Whenever a Kabrastan issue was dealt with, Fr Fernandes insisted on the constitutional right of the Muslims to a burial space, as well as the Government's obligation to identify an appropriate space as a burial ground."
"It has been observed that when there are attempts to purchase land or even find a site for a Kabrastan, there are often objections from some sections of the Catholic community, who are opposed to a Muslim cemetery in their village", Fr Caiado added.
