OLD GOA
Making a fervent appeal on the need to re-plaster the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes has invited suggestions from concerned Goans in the matter.
In an 8-minute video released on Friday, Fr Fernandes explained how the monument is facing rapid deterioration due to the exposed exterior and it needs to be re-plastered to prevent it from collapsing in the near future.
At the beginning of the video, Fr Fernandes said the condition of the Basilica started deteriorating with the removal its plaster in the early 1950s.
“If we want to conserve the Basilica, we have to re-plaster the exterior to avoid major tragedy in the future. The Basilica was fully plastered like every other Church in Goa for close to 350 years, since its inauguration in 1605.”
“In the early 1950s, the plaster was removed as part of the propaganda exercise initiated by then Portuguese PM Antonio Salazar and his regime ‘Estado Novo’.”
“They began renovating monuments in Portugal and its overseas territories to make them look more ancient to reflect values of the regime.”
“They sent an archaeological mission from Portugal led by Portuguese architect and restorer Baltazar de Castro to renovate monuments of Old Goa for the Exposition of St Francis Xavier in 1952.”
“Besides the Basilica, the plaster of the Arch of the Viceroy was also removed. But the arch soon collapsed, showing just how important the coat of plaster to the laterite stone was,” he said.
Fr Fernandes said there were other unscientific renovation carried out, like changes in the roofscape of the Basilica and addition of reinforced concrete slabs to the ancient monument.
“These acts of political propaganda, masquerading as architectural conservation, were done without consulting Goan experts or the public. The Basilica has been dying a slow death ever since.”
“The stones have been irreversibly damaged by weather. In some places, there is a loss of detail and ornamentation or it has been badly disfigured.”
“In other areas, the stone itself crumbles into powder upon touch and dust accumulates on the ground,” Fr Fernandes said.
The Rector added that due to exposed laterite exteriors and other factors like rapid urbanisation of Old Goa and unseasonal rains, the Basilica walls remain wet due, resulting in water seeping inside the walls.
“This never happened in the past,” said Fr Fernandes.
Fr Fernandes stated in the video that he initiated a series of meetings with experts to get to the root of the problem.
“Various experts from the country and abroad have said the lime plaster of the exposed laterite surface of the Basilica is the only time-tested solution to conserve it.”
“But for any decision to be taken on re-plastering, we have to discuss with you as it is a sensitive matter.”
“Experts say that the Basilica can collapse if it is not plastered. So, we must act swiftly, unitedly and quickly to re-plaster it,” Fr Fernandes pleads.
He invited interested people to come and have a look at precarious condition of the Basilica and ended the video by stating that suggestions in the matter could be sent via email on: [email protected].
Technical, scientific
guidance sought
OLD GOA: Stating that the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the ASI are aware of the steady weathering of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes said they are seeking technical and scientific guidance on re-plastering of the monument.
“During her visit, the ASI-South Zone Director has seen the deteriorating condition of the Basilica and has lent her support. The ASI-Goa Circle has also shown much concern, but is dependent on ASI-Delhi to signal the start of the process of re-plastering, which will be done in consultation and with the consent of the Archdiocese,” said Fr Fernandes.
“For this, we need emotional support from Goemkars across the globe. Re-plastering the Basilica will prevent deterioration of its walls. But the study of the roofscape and the unscientific structural changes undertaken in the 1950s will have to be done in the next phase to arrest the problem,” Fr Fernandes said.
The Rector also pointed out that measures like demarcation of 100 metres and 200 metres prohibited and regulated zones will have to be undertaken on the Goa Regional Plan on priority basis.
“This is something that we will take up with the State government so that the Basilica and other monuments of Old Goa are not affected by flooding caused due to the rampant urbanisation of the surroundings, which is leading to large volume of water flowing down into the core area from the Kadamba plateau,” Fr Fernandes said.
