PANAJI
The National Justice Day was marked in Old Goa, Calangute, Margao, Rachol and other parts of the State on July 28, as priests, nuns and laity came together to honour the deceased human rights activist Fr Stan Swamy.
At Old Goa, a prayer service was led by Fr Patricio Fernandes SJ, Rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Jesuit Community, with people recommitting themselves to the mission of truth and justice.
At Calangute, Parish Priest Fr Polly Lobo welcomed the gathering holding placards and posters on truth and justice at the St Alex Church. He appealed to people gathered to remember the great sacrifice of Fr Stan Swamy to secure the rights of tribals in Chotanagpur region.
Religious from various congregations led by a Canossian nun, Sr Grace Rodrigues, conducted the meeting, while Fr Malcolm Barreto, SJ specified the objective of the programme and appealed to people to take cudgels on behalf of the poor and the marginalised and take forward the work of Fr Stan Swamy.
The Jesuit Community of Pedro Arrupe Institute at Raia conducted a solidarity meet in collaboration with two parishes of Holy Spirit Church (Margao) and Our Lady of Snows-(Rachol).
The National Justice Day was celebrated in the Holy Spirit Church Hall, with Parish Priest Fr Amandio Valadares reminded the gathering that Justice is not a one-day event, but people need to work tirelessly like Fr Stan Swamy to bring out justice in our society.
Fr Orville de Silva SJ highlighted the key issues that Fr Stan had been working on with the Adivasis in Jharkhand, while a youth from the parish highlighted the environmental issues concerning Goa and the need to work for justice while protecting Goa’s fragile ecosystem
Fr Franky, the assistant parish priest appealed to the audience to carry forward the work of Fr Stan Swamy.
At the Rachol Church, the event was integrated with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr Pedro Rodrigues SJ, followed by a candlelit procession. In his homily, Fr Rodrigues spoke on Fr Stan’s work with the poor and the oppressed in Jharkhand.
Jesuit and religious communities also conducted prayer services at their respective communities in the State.
