VASCO
Sancoale Parish Priest Fr Kennet Teles and Rector of St Joseph Vaz Sanctuary Fr Manuel Dias have appealed for peace and harmony, in view of recent disturbances by some fringe elements near the old Sancoale Church property.
In similar announcements made to congregations at the ongoing Novena Masses to St Joseph Vaz, Fr Teles and Fr Dias made it clear that the old church was built in 1606 and since that time, the property belonged to the Church.
They said the old church existed for around 200 years and was the Parish Church of the people of Sancoale, with all pastoral work, Masses and Catholic religious celebrations taking place there.
Fr Teles and Fr Dias said St Joseph Vaz grew up and was a parishioner of that church and even wrote his famous Letter of Bondage to Mary, Our Lady of Good health, in that Church.
A fire later destroyed the church, except the altar and facade, and sometime later, there was a chapel that was built around the altar.
The two priests said there is no evidence of the existence of any other religious structure at the site and maintained that the property around the church belongs to the Fabrica of Sancoale Church.
They claimed that some persons, with an intention to grab the property, have filed cases against the Church.
They stated that since these cases have no ground, they have now resorted to creating divisions and communal disharmony among two religious communities.
While appealing to people to be aware of the truth and to avoid falling prey to evil intentions, Fr Teles and Fr Dias have requested people to maintain peace and harmony by sharing these facts with others.
They have stated that a prayer service will be started and a Mass will be celebrated every Sunday after January 23, to pray that peace may reign and that the Grace of God and Holiness of St Joseph Vaz may radiate from the site of the old church at Sancoale.
CEO directs Collector to take stringent action
PANAJI:
Taking cognisance of a petition regarding recent disturbances by some fringe elements near the old Sancoale Church, the Chief Electoral Office (CEO) has directed the South Goa Collector/District Electoral Officer (DEO) to take necessary action in the matter.
In a letter to the South Goa Collector/DEO, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Sangeeta Naik said the CEO received a letter from the Catholic Association of Goa (CAG) President Emidio Pinho seeking stringent action against fundamentalist groups/elements trying to sow discord and disharmony among religious communities in Sancoale.
Naik has directed the DEO to take necessary action and report compliance in the matter.
