It is learned that the State government has set up two panels for the smooth conduct of the exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa to be held from November 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025. This is being done in order to monitor the day-to-day functioning and to oversee all the activities related to the exposition. The two panels will reportedly be given full powers to decide and execute all kinds of work related to the decennial event.
The two committees, which are the ‘Exposition Secretariat’ and the ‘High Powered Coordination Committee for the Exposition, 2024’, are headed by the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The members include Union Minister Shripad Naik, state ministers, MLAs, leader of the opposition, bureaucrats, top government officers, etc. The Chief Minister has also announced that he will request the government of India to invite Pope Francis for the decennial exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier.
This will be a significantly important event for Goans, especially the Catholic community. Hence, it would be desirable to include representatives of the church in Goa in the two committees that have been announced. The priests representing the churches at Old Goa, including the rector of Basilica of Bom Jesus, will be in a better position to give relevant advice to the government on the smooth conduct of the decennial event. The members of the church could be included in the committees in an advisory capacity since this is an important event that involves the church.
