PANAJI: The Constitution of India is in danger of being trampled upon, human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril leaving the people to live in insecurity, Goa’s Archbishop has warned in his annual pastoral letter, which has focussed on the various forms of poverty.
The annual pastoral letter which is issued at the beginning of each pastoral year (1st June to 31st May) in this Archdiocese, addresses mainly the problem of poverty, in its various forms, faced by the world, the country and this Archdiocese and tries to suggest ways and means of meeting it at various levels: personal, societal and spiritual.
“People are being uprooted from their land and homes in the name of development. It is easier to trample upon the rights of the poor because those who will raise their voice for them are very few.
“In recent times we see a new trend emerging in our country, which demands uniformity in what and how we eat, dress, live and even worship: a kind of monoculturalism. Human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril. The various minorities fear for their safety. In short, respect for the law is frankly on the decline in this country,” the Archbishop said.
“At the time of elections, the candidates confuse the minds of many people by making false promises. And the people, on their part, often sell their prestigious vote for selfish, petty gain. Today our constitution is in danger, the reason why most of the people live in insecurity. In this context and particularly as the General Elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our constitution better and work harder to protect it,” the Archbishop has said.
The Archbishop has recalled at how one of the major causes of poverty is social injustice and called on Catholics in Goa through parishes and small Christian communities to ensure that “they should be open to the problems of the world… this social concern should not only remain within the confines of the parish community but should reach out to the whole state and country at large.”
“It is advisable that the lay faithful play an active role in the political field, they should, however, follow the dictates of their conscience while doing so and shun sycophantic politics. They should thus strengthen democracy and, on the other hand, help to improve the functioning of the state administration. The ideas of social justice and the fight against corruption are of utmost importance,” he said.
In specific reference to Goa, the Archbishop noted how “we need to be careful to avoid certain practices like excessive spending, buying things for the sake of buying and discarding valuables that are in good condition.”
“Our weddings and other celebrations nowadays are becoming more and more ostentatious and extravagant. Let us strive to keep our feasts simple and sincerely endeavour to change social customs and traditions that go against injustice,” he said.
This Pastoral Year is being focussed on alleviating poverty in its various forms, economic as well as emotional poverty, arising from rejection, humiliation and abuse, not forgetting those who are ostracised by society for various reasons like lack of education, old age, sickness, unemployment, imprisonment and other types of social discrimination.
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Why does the Church
back social movements?
In an apparent reference to the recent controversy surrounding the Church’s support to the anti-PDA and Regional Plan movement, the Archbishop noted how “social movements and organisations play a vital role in making the option for the poor fruitful and in bringing about a just and fraternal society.”
“This is the reason why the Church gives her relentless support to these movements and enlightens them through the light of the Gospel,” the Archbishop said in his letter.
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ON FEAR OF
MINORITIES
* In recent times we see a new trend emerging in our country, which demands uniformity in what and how we eat, dress, live and even worship: a kind of monoculturalism
* The various minorities fear for their safety. In short, respect for the law is frankly on the decline in this country
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ON ELECTIONS AND
FALSE PROMISES
* At the time of elections, the candidates confuse the minds of many people by making false promises. And the people, on their part, often sell their prestigious vote for selfish, petty gain
* In this context and particularly as the General Elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our constitution better and work harder to protect it
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ON FEASTS AND
WEDDINGS
* Our weddings and other celebrations nowadays are becoming more and more ostentatious and extravagant
* Let us strive to keep our feasts simple and sincerely endeavour to change social customs and traditions that go against injustice
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