Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel and a delegation venerate the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier at the Exposition in Old Goa on Saturday.
OLD GOA
Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel on Saturday described Goa as an example of dialogue between cultures, countries and religions.
Rangel made the statement after his visit to Old Goa wherein he along with other Portuguese dignitaries venerated the Relics of St Francis Xavier and also visited the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Museum of Christian Art and Santa Monica Church.
To a question by The Goan on his experience after his visit to Old Goa, Rangel said, "I am very grateful to people of Goa and government of Goa for giving me the opportunity."
"As a Portuguese and as a Christian, it is a very emotional moment, especially to be here when the Sacred Relics is kept for Exposition, and see how Goa is an example of dialogue between cultures, between countries, between religions.”
"So we breathe the air of understanding, of mutual comprehension. In a certain way, we can say that Goa today is an example for this world as it is very involved in many places because people are on the table to build bridges as they have been built here in this city, in this State.
"I also prayed for peace in the world because it is so touching, so moving experience to see the Portuguese culture mixed with the Indian culture, and seeing that people are very wise to know how to match this meeting of civilizations."
During his visit, Rangel was accompanied by Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Secretary (Revenue) & Commissioner Exposition Sandip Jacques, Convenor of the Exposition for the Archdiocese Fr Henry Falcao, Fr Lawrence Fernandes, Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica Fr Patricio Fernandes, Secretary (Protocol) Sanjit Rodrigues, and North Goa Collector Dr Sneha Gitte
