Given the current pandemic, the Novenas leading to the December 3 feast of Goa’s patron saint, St Francis Xavier will this year be held virtually online. But surprisingly it was proposed that the feast mass on December 3 be held in the Basilica of Bom Jesus for selected VIPs by invitation only. This was not a well-thought move.
In fact in the current circumstances, VIPs, if there are any, are the doctors and support staff who have been in the frontline toiling for the last many months at the Covid hospitals fearlessly treating patients while risking their own lives. They are our valiant heroes that have gone that extra mile to make a significant difference.
It’s time that politicians at places of worship are treated like common citizens and given no VIP treatment whatsoever as in the eyes of God we are all equal in any place of worship be it a temple, mosque or church.
On the feast day may our Covid-19 frontline warriors, besides some poor, downtrodden and handicapped brothers and sisters, be given the front seats at the feast mass while the politicians should from their homes reflect and seek mercy for their faults and follies. Let us hope that this will happen.
There is a ray of hope that our dear friend and the very pro-active Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica Rev Fr Patricio Fernandes will ensure that there is no discrimination or differentiation within the faithful.
