the goan I network
PANAJI
The Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) has expressed its strong condemnation at anonymous video clips being released on social media, which are aimed at mala fide attacks against the Church and its policies.
“Since no particular individual or group has, so far, taken responsibility for the production, release and circulation of these video clips, it is obvious that it is the work of elements who are frustrated and upset over the CSJP’s support to the people across Goa, who have been voicing their legitimate concerns about the PDAs, ODPs and Regional Plan,” said CSJP Executive Secretary Fr Savio Fernandes in a statement released on Saturday.
Fr Fernandes said the timing of the release and circulation of these video clips, ahead of the public meeting at Lohia Maidan, Margao, “has also been a deliberate and devious attempt to confuse and mislead the people, cast aspersions on the Church and its policies, resort to allegations and to take instances and events out of context.”
“Allegations in one video that the Church has struck a secret deal with a political party are equally mischievous, especially since the Church is inherently apolitical in nature and does not support or reject any particular party.”
Fr Fernandes, however, said the CSJP does, and should, exercise its right and responsibility to question the policies of the government which go counter to the genuine interests of the people.
Responding to the contents in the video clips, Fr Fernandes said: “The CSJP is in the process of ascertaining the allegations levelled against the Church in the video clips and it will probe the matter in its proper context.”
“Nevertheless, the CSJP maintains that such anonymous video clips are devious and feeble attempts by vested interests to target the Church, in order to deviate public attention from pressing and contentious issues and policies, which have unified people across Goa in expressing their legitimate concerns.”
“Moreover, such efforts by vested interests will surely not muzzle the CSJP from its pursuit of monitoring policies, safeguarding public rights, creating awareness among people and taking positions in public interest, irrespective of the party in power,” Fr Fernandes added.
