PANAJI
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao on Saturday appealed to people to “work to overcome divisive forces that seem to be active in the State”, barely a day after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had claimed that people are stepping up conversions in various parts of Goa.
In his Easter message to people in the State, Archbishop Ferrao also emphasised the importance of respect among people of different social, cultural and religious traditions.
“Easter invites us to make this joy infectious by extending our hands to all the people of goodwill and working together for peace, harmony and mutual respect among men and women of different social, cultural and religious traditions and by overcoming divisive forces that seem to be active even in our State,” stated Archbishop Ferrao.
He hoped that Easter would inspire people “to live as responsible citizens in our country and State, working towards genuine human development and integral sustainable advancement.”
The archbishop’s message comes barely a day after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant made a case against religious conversion in Goa, claiming it was on the rise while adding that soft targets like members of marginalised communities and the poor were being targeted.
“In various parts of Goa today, people are stepping up conversions. And various people are trying to take advantage of trying circumstances…,” Sawant had stated on Friday.
“I’m saying that such religious conversions should not take place...the government will never allow conversions to take place, but I believe the people need to awaken, the temple in each village needs to awaken, small temple communities need to awaken,” Sawant had said.
The chief minister’s statements have caused some disquiet in the State, with many people left wondering if his contentious remarks were aimed at certain religious communities in the State.
