the goan I network
VASCO
Minister for Archives and Archaeology Vijai Sardesai on Thursday said the government would offer all help and support in conducting the novena and feast of St Joseph Vaz, Goa’s illustrious son of the soil and patron saint of the archdiocese.
Sardesai was speaking to the media after conducting a review meeting at the site of the old church at Sancoale, ahead of the novena, which begins from January 7, 2019 and feast of St Joseph Vaz on January 16, 2019.
The old Sancoale church, which has only the façade standing at the site, is an archaeological monument maintained by department of archives and archaeology.
An inspection of the premises and vicinity was conducted by Sardessai along with officials of the district administration, police, traffic police, electricity department, water resources department, Public Works Department and archives department in the presence of church officials, who included Sancoale Parish Priest Fr Luis Alvarea, Rector of St Joseph Vaz Sanctuary Fr Manuel Dias, Diocesan representatives, Financial Administrator and Procurator, Fr Noel D’Costa, Executive Secretary of the Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat Fr Anthony Fernandes and Siridao Parish Priest Fr Valeriano Vaz.
Speaking to the media, Sardesai said it was the government’s duty to facilitate the novena and the feast of Goa’s son-of-the-soil, St Joseph Vaz.
“Church authorities have informed that some vested interests are trying to interfere with the peaceful celebration of the feast and are attempting to communalise the issue.”
“The government will not allow any attempts to communalise the peaceful celebration of the event,” said the minister.
He added that shifting of the feast venue was the sole right and prerogative of the church/diocesan authority headed by the Archbishop and the government has no business and intention to interfere in
the same.
Sardesai added even though the monument is maintained by the archives and archaeology department, the monument is owned by the Church.
“On behalf of the government, we assured total help and support in conducting the novena and feast in a smooth and peaceful manner,” said Sardesai and gave necessary instructions to the officials.
