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OPINION Pg8

HERALD
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Vol No CIX No: 101
“My Kingdom is not of this Earth”
Goa, Saturday 11 April, 2009 The Eastern church has always prized the role of the Holy Spirit in the governance of the church, says TEOTONIO R DE SOUZA

Firmans T
he Papal States, also known as States of the in Iraq) and were merely the pastoral leaders of the com-
Church or Pontifical States, in central Italy, with munity. The temporal jurisdiction lay with native
nearly two and half million subjects, were till faithful, under the leadership of an archdeacon. Lack

from afar 1871 under the direct temporal rule of the Pope. The
Popes had become de facto rulers of the city of Rome
and the surrounding area by the 6th century AD. This
of such separation of spiritual and temporal powers
continues to be the bane of the Rome-inspired and
ruled church that we have inherited from the Portu-

I
n the old days (notice the conspicuous omission of the prefix ‘good’ territory was formally granted to Pope Stephen II by guese.
Pepin the Short, king of the Franks, in 754 AD. Let us not forget that more than the Latin church of
from that well-worn expression), the Moghul Emperors of India ruled Additions were made by gifts, purchases and con- Rome, which the Portuguese sought to implant in Goa
vast swathes of the subcontinent from their capital, first in Agra and quests, and even by forging the so-called Donation of and elsewhere in their former colonial possessions and
then Delhi. They had little touch with the ground realities in the far- Constantine, until the Papal States included nearly the trading-posts, the Eastern church always prized more
flung corners of their empire, but their power was absolute. It was whole of central Italy, reaching their greatest extent in and gave a central place to the role of the Holy Spirit in
enforced by the royal command, known as a ‘firman’. The problem was the 16th century. Incidentally, the 13th-century Basil- the governance of the church. It was this centrality and
that these firmans were issued from the royal court, based on ica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio lost a wall, while a faith in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than in the
submissions by courtiers, often with very little idea of the actual section of the nave collapsed in the earthquake that jurisdictional powers of the human institutions that has
situation in that distant province. took place in Italy week, with its epicentre 60 miles been the cause of rifts between the church over time in
Times have changed. Telecommunications have made the world – northeast of Rome. The church, combining Roman- the West and the East.
and India – a much smaller place. It is now so much easier to understand esque and Gothic architecture, played host to the If the Resurrection of Christ has taken him beyond
the actual situation before one takes a decision on anything. In the crowning of Pope Celestine V in 1294 AD. space and time, depriving the Christians of an equiva-
case of Goa – which is India’s smallest state – it should be even easier. The acquisitions of the papacy were for the most lent of Muslim Mecca, thereby making Christianity truly
Despite the recent vexing traffic jams on our National Highways, it takes part retained until 1797, when the French forces of universal, the West has succeeded so far in restricting
Napoleon Bonaparte seized much of the territory. In him to Rome, delaying the time announced by Jesus to
a little over two hours to traverse the entire state north to south, and 1801 Pope Pius VII regained some power, and, follow- the Samaritan woman: “But the hour comes, and now
even less to do it from west to east. ing the fall of Bonaparte in 1815, the Congress of Vi- is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Fa-
However, the mentality of the rulers – of issuing firmans – has not enna restored nearly all the territory of the states, plac- ther in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such
changed. And so it came to pass that the Election Commission (EC), in ing them under Austrian protection. The final dissolu- to worship him. God is a spirit: and they that wor-
its wisdom, directed the Excise Department to obtain a daily stock tion of the Papal States came in 1870, when nearly all ship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
statement and daily sales log from each and every liquor shop in the the territory, including Rome, was annexed to a united (John 4: 23–24).
state. In response to this ‘harassment from election authorities’, the Italy by its king, Victor Emmanuel II. The jurisdiction The Goans who usually prefer to read American or
Liquor Traders Association, which represents liquor wholesalers and of the Pope was confined to the Vatican. As a protest European historians or novelists could read, for a
retailers, has threatened to stop selling liquor. This could prove a against the Italian occupation, each succeeding Pope change, a classic work entitled As Confrarias de Goa
dampener for traditional Easter celebrations, coming up at midnight remained a voluntary prisoner until 1929, when the (1973) authored by Aldona-born Leopoldo da Rocha (he
Lateran Treaty under Mussolini recognised the full and A detail from the painting ‘Crucifixion’ (1959) by F N Souza (1924–2002) was my professor of liturgy at Rachol seminary). It was
tonight.
independent sovereignty of the Holy See in Vatican his doctoral dissertation presented to the Gregorian
The Excise Department has confirmed that it is collecting daily reports City. University in Rome. He traces, among other things about
of alcohol transactions from manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Ironically and sadly, the kicks of history – not Jesus
HISTORICAL EXPLORATIONS Goan confraternities, the origin of santos passos and
But Liquor Traders Association co-convenor Mangaldas Naik says that it of History before Pilate or in his Risen state – were the times of computer networking (and the Vatican is proud prisoner of a Roman style of governance with a juris- the holy hysteria they were meant to generate with
is not practical for shop owners to minutely keep daily stock statements best advisors of his vicars on earth. The eve of Easter, of managing an advanced radio-network and astro- dictional base, and as long as the financial dependence competitions between various religious orders and their
of the sale of liquor. He complains that despite this, EC officials are which Christians the world over commemorate this nomical centre), there is hardly any reason why the on the West is needed to sustain the institutional dis- respective confraternities in the old city of Goa. Inci-
demanding daily stock statements. week, could and should be a welcome moment to jurisdictional centre of the Catholic church needs to play of the “universal” church, we may have a long time dentally, Leopoldo Rocha has very recently departed
Mr Naik says that the authorities have issued notices even to those reflect on these deflections that have pained more be in Rome. The place where Peter died is more im- to wait. Had Jesus been of Hindu culture, he could at from the traditional genre of scholarship and produced
who do maintain daily stock statements. The association is sore that than saved mankind. History provides a vast and open portant than the place where Jesus was born and died? least hope to be reborn. But even that has been denied an equally enthralling autobiographical novel Casa
field for the biblical enemy to sow the weed, not just God may know why, but scientists blame Italy’s trag- to him, and the passion plays have become a pathetic Grande, wherein he exposes much hypocrisy that he
election officials have also been harsh on liquor distilleries. The Excise
at night-time, but even in broad daylight! We shall point ic history of earth tremors on the fact that the country substitute for the reality shows. was forced to live as a priest and as a member of an
Department has confirmed that around 30 distilleries and bottling units lies directly over the Eurasian and African fault-lines, To illustrate, let us return to the Christians of St
out some that affected the Christianity of St Thomas aristocratic family in colonial Goa.
have been sealed. This, says Excise Commissioner Sandeep Jacques, is in India in the recent colonial past. where the borders of two tectonic plates move to- Thomas in Kerala. It was the Tridentine Christianity of To conclude on the high note of the festivity that will
a ‘precautionary measure’ to rule out illegal manufacture of liquor, which Despite the historical denudations of the papacy, to gether and apart. This also accounts for Italy’s rela- Rome that the Portuguese sought to impose upon cheer many Goans this week, it is important that we
could be used for enticing voters during elections. most who do not belong to the European tradition of tively high number of active volcanoes: Etna, the larg- them through a synod at Diamper (Udayamperur), at neither disown the culture we have inherited nor throw
Liquor Traders Association Convenor Barnabe Sapeco says that Goa mixing religion and politics, even under the modern- est active volcano in Europe; Stromboli; and Vesuvius, the close of the 16th century. Though some doctrinal out the baby with the bathwater. We need to review it
is not like other places in the country. Here, liquor is not bought purely ist and veiled legal garb of the separation of the Church the only active volcano on the mainland of Europe. differences served as a pretext for interference by the critically and purge it. Is it not that which we often ask
to drink (or, as the EC suspects, to get voters drunk). Most tourists who and the State, a sovereign Vatican state with represen- While God works, we humans (more so in the distant Padroado authorities of Goa, the real and profound from the caste inheritance of the Hinduism? I cannot
visit Goa buy bottles of liquor as souvenirs of their visit, to take back tation in international forums still waits for more his- Orient of the magi) may still have hope of reaching the motive for discord was the nature of the organisation but remember our great artist Newton de Souza, who
home, just as they buy sea-shells, cashew nuts, cocum syrup, bebinca, torical kicks to convince Christ’s vicars on earth to Kingdom of God. that governed St Thomas Christians. Their bishops, or spent his life struggling with Christ and died with him
Goa sausage, and other unique Goan foods and beverages. comprehend his vision of the “Kingdom of God”. In As long as the hierarchy of the Catholic Church is a Mar as they were titled, came from Mosul (presently on the Good Friday of 2002!
That is why, he explains, even if two bus-loads of tourists stop at a
shop to buy liquor, they could buy 300 or more bottles within the span
of a 15-minute stop. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, under
the circumstances, he adds, to record all the details of these sales on
Tongue in Cheek
Teeny-Weeny Nano By Adelmo Fernandes

M
a register. A special clerk would have to be appointed for the purpose, y family owns a couple of four-wheelers and three two-wheel- Goan roads … well, not exactly, it has only hit the showroom. The teeny- Nano the right car for us.
he feels. ers. One would say those are enough wheels for a family of four. weeny car is attracting hordes of people. Some with the intention of buy- Though I am not exactly in need of one more car, I asked myself what
Not everything that the liquor traders are saying may be true. But is Sorry, make that five – I forgot our dog Snoopy. But my elder son ing it, others just out of curiosity as to why Mamata Banerjee did not want is wrong in adding to my already existing ‘fleet’ of cars. So I decided to
it likely that all of it is a lie? Businessmen would never wilfully deprive is away, studying in Bangalore. So that again makes us a family of four. My the car to roll out from her State and what the Gujarat Chief Minister Naren- explore the advantages of going in for a Nano – besides the price, of course.
themselves of their earnings just to prove a point. Obviously, it really younger son is still a minor, my wife cannot handle a two-wheeler, leave alone dra Modi saw in the little car. Some say that a Nano is a no-no car for them. I asked the reason. “Well, I
isn’t possible for them to report on sales in the way the EC wants. But a four wheeler. So the only person who does all the riding and the driving is The Nano has caught the imagination of an entire nation. From a dis- am used to speeds of 100-plus and hence the Nano is surely not my cup
this does not mean that it is altogether impossible for them to cooperate yours truly. So one would say that those are a lot of vehicles for a single user. tance it looks like a toy car belonging to the baby of a giant. Probably no of tea,” said a young chap who seemed to be a guy in a hurry. “Nano is for
with the EC to ensure that misuse of liquor is curbed in the Lok Sabha Mind you, even the most powerful woman in India, and probably in the other car, after the good old Maruti 800 hit the road, has made heads turn my eighty-year-old nani,” said another college lad. But a married man
election. entire world, Sonia Gandhi does not own a single car, nor does her son and eyes roll the way the Nano. For one, you do not need a large purse to had another view. “I am going for it. It’s the best car for my better half. I
Rahul, if one goes by the declarations made while filing their nominations. own the ultra small car. It can easily fit in the budget of a middle-class won’t have to accompany her on shopping trips,” he said.
When the EC wants to closely monitor the sale of liquor in the state So owning a couple of cars and another three bikes keeps me one step Indian who owns a two-wheeler and dreams of driving his own car. In fact, All said and done, the Nano does have advantages. Being the smallest
during the election campaign period, what prevents it from calling the ahead of all these powerful people. But then many of the politicians have owning a Nano could be considered a graduation from a two-wheeler to a car means it will require the smallest parking space, which should not be
representatives of the liquor traders – especially when they have a declared that they have no cars. Does that mean that these politicians four-wheeler without feeling the pinch. As a matter of fact, with the Nano very difficult to find. It will definitely give more mileage than the bigger
functioning association – for a discussion about how this can be travel by the State Transport buses and the local trains? By no means! They hitting the road, the sight of a family of five balancing precariously on a cars. Thus it will add to your monthly savings. So for me it is a yes-yes car.
effectively done, before they issue directives? An hour or two of of course travel by the official cars, run on the expense of the state exchequer. bike will be a thing of the past. Now they can travel comfortably in a Nano. My garage does have enough space for another car, especially for the little
productive talk can prevent huge amounts of strife, standoffs, loss of So what’s the need of owning a car? Quite logical, if you think about me. The Nano is probably designed keeping in mind the physique of an aver- Nano. Our housemaid has already booked one. What stops me from fol-
business for the traders, loss of tax revenue for the state, and loss of You may ask why I am all of a sudden writing about cars. Well, cars have age Indian. A guy above six feet in height will probably have difficulty fit- lowing suit? Absolutely nothing!
goodwill for the EC. been in the news in recent weeks. Tata’s little beauty Nano has hit the ting into the car. But then most Indians are five-footers, which makes the “Nano, here I come!”

Letters to the Editor


he has tossed in the air in the direction of the everything.
Politicians, beware! Words of Wisdom
Fernando Do Rego, Panjim
victim. Further, he cannot get a replacement for
the thrown shoe; because shoes are always sold Letter of the Day As brought out by Mr Kuncolienkar, no major
industry is willing to set foot in Goa. The so-
The story of the shoe in the history of mankind in pairs, if one is lost, you cannot get the match- called NGOs protesting against development are
is centuries old. The first evidence of their use
dates back to the sandals of the Pharaohs of
ing shoe and the shopkeepers do not sell single
shoes. Spurious fly-by-night NGOs actually the major hurdles in moving the state
forward.
Egypt in 1200 BC. The shoe is repeatedly men- Apart from all this, he has to suffer indignity Soter D’Souza, Socorro It is time now for the people of Goa to wake
tioned in the Bible. Shoes were also thrown on throughout his life for missing the target. His up to this reality and condemn the actions of
a wedding car, to wish all the happiness to the self-confidence is shattered: if he cannot hit the The once-sacred word ‘social worker’ has been cheapened by dubious politicians and anti-social unaccountable NGOs and actively participate in
bridal couple! Shoes/stockings play a major role bull’s eye with a shoe, how can he participate in elements who have no other socially credible achievements to attribute to themselves. It is not the progress of the state and take it to the next
in the fun and frolic of Christmas, when Santa shooting competitions? For that matter, how uncommon to see birthday wishes of aspiring politicians with the words ‘Dynamic Social Worker’ level.
Claus comes down with present to the children. would he play cricket with such poor throwing accompanying them.
The first tool to make shoes was invented in skills? Of late it is seen that the term ‘NGO’ is increasingly being affixed to any and every group. Well done, Ravi Naik!
Thus, there is a human dimension to the whole Blackmailers, power brokers and political party agents seem to have embarked upon a mission
the USA in 1845. Curiously, the shoe was famous- Savio Queiroz, Verna
ly first used as a tool for expressing protest for episode which we tend to ignore. It may be to infiltrate public spaces with social action groups, claiming them to be NGOs. Corrupt retiring
government officials and political parties are also known to float organisations to siphon off Kudos to Home Minister Ravi Naik for his daring
the very first time against the US President, in worthwhile to develop this sport because there
money from government schemes. These crooked ulterior motives are then attributed to civil steps to pre-empt the entry of the Shri Ram Sena Holy Saturday
December 2008, when Muntazar al-Zaidi threw might be a growing need for the trained special-
ists in this discipline in the years ahead. society organisations across the board by the very collaborators and perpetrators of this fraud. It in our peace-loving state of Goa. Although we Holy Saturday is the day after Good Friday. It
one at the then US President George Bush. Chi- may believe in different religions, we are all is the day before Easter and the last day of
nese PM Wen Jiabao too got one in February seems that a very systematic campaign has been unleashed by politicians and oppressive eco-
Misuse of freedom nomic forces to vitiate the atmosphere and discredit genuine social change facilitators in the eyes peaceful, loving people, living in harmony in the Holy Week, in which Christians prepare for
2009, hurled by a German student in Cambridge. loving state of Goa. We will not tolerate any vio- Easter. This day commemorates the day that
In March, the Iranian President Ahmadinejad was of the public.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai These last few days have seen reports about the formation of some NGO forums in Goa that lence. United we stand, and at the need of the Jesus Christ’s body lay in the tomb.
targeted. On 21 March, Indian Supreme Court Hurling shoes at politicians by media personnel hour, we Goans will fight tooth and nail against In Roman Catholic Churches, the sanctuary
jugde Arijit Pasayat got one in the courtroom. are threatening to teach a lesson to the government by aligning themselves with one or the other
has become a new and effective form of pro- candidate in the fray for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Behind these so-called forums appear the elements trying to disrupt the peace, love remains stripped completely bare (following
The latest was when journalist Jaipal Singh test. This kind of protest by media personnel and harmony. the Mass on Maundy Thursday) while the
lobbed one at Home Minister P Chidambaram. to be familiar agents or sympathisers of builders and politicians, along with leaders of village
must be deplored and discouraged, especially groups which just yesterday claimed to have been formed to address issues arising from devel- Ravi Naik has shown that he has guts. A word administration of the sacraments is severely
We all know that Goa is boiling against corrup- since it comes from a section of people who are of appreciation to Mr Parrikar, who stood up and limited. Holy Communion is given only as Vi-
tion by our politicians. Soon they will be out in opment. The mission of these village groups is often obscure and they are in no way accountable.
respected in society and therefore are expect- The timing of the launch of these groups further creates suspicion about their motives. It is supported the ban on the Shri Ram Sena. aticum to the dying. All Masses are strictly
public giving us speeches. But they should be- ed to uphold the law. prohibited. No Mass at all appears in the litur-
ware – instead of garlands, they may be greeted these free-floating unaccountable groups that then go about conducting questionable activities
with a fusillade of shoes.
Both Muntazar al-Zaidi and Jarnail Singh were calling themselves ‘NGO’. All fun and games? gy for this day. Many of the churches of the
purportedly acting on behalf of the communi- Genuine civil society groups, even if unregistered, will have a viable vision with definite objec- S Kamat, Alto Betim Anglican Communion as well as Lutheran,
Shoe perspective ties they belonged to, giving vent to the com- tives and meticulously maintained records of their funding sources and activities. However there Methodist, and some other Churches observe
munities’ ire against the leaders. But by their Looking at the Indian election process currently
is nothing of this visible with these fly-by-night groups calling themselves NGOs, which just most of the same; however, their altars may
S N D Poojary, Miramar action they have misused their profession. This under way, one is rather surprised to see so
yesterday pretended to be concerned about the problems of the people but have now plunged be covered in black instead of being
sort of incident is bound to create a feeling of many film and sports personalities jumping into stripped.
In a shoe-throwing incident, we focus our at- into electoral politics and are acting as political brokers and fixers. Will the Goan electorate be
insecurity among politicians and expose journal- the fray. In earlier times it was quite rare to see
tention only on the victim, forgetting about the wise enough not to fall into this trap laid by cunning politicians, some real estate developers and Liturgically speaking, Holy Saturday lasts
ists to unnecessary security scrutiny. sportspersons standing for elections, while film
predicament of the thrower. After his brave at- their agents? until dusk, after which the Easter Vigil is cel-
personalities were used mainly to draw crowds
tempt, he realizes that he is left with only one ebrated, marking the official start of the East-
Sonia’s falsehoods give her party the chance to continue destroy- community and promote small-scale business- for rallies to be addressed by one or the other
shoe. The police whisk him away from the scene er season. In Roman Catholic observance,
ing Goa and its identity. es that will help them in their progress. politician. These people remained apolitical and
and he is made to walk with one shoe, and limps Arwin Mesquita, Dubai during the “Gloria” of the Mass (which is the
concentrated on their own activities and their first Mass since that of Holy Thursday), the
as he is carried away. He cannot go and buy an- On 29 May 2007, Sonia Gandhi, in her South Goa Upholding workers’ faith Protest is now a fashion professions.
other pair, as the police won’t allow him to go. Campaign speech, said that “Goa is a jewel of church statues and icons, in places where they
However, lately we have film stars standing
Neither do the police return him the shoe that the Country”, and then allowed her party to loot Cajetan Peter D’Souza, Mumbai A K Sharma, Dona Paula are covered with purple veils during Passion-
for elections or being nominated to the Upper
and destroy Goa till today. She also said that con- tide, are dramatically unveiled.
The recent recession has broken the hopes of Protesting has become a fashion and a handful House, and giving us unwanted advice, more
The offices of OHeraldo were closed from gress will see that Goa tops in all parameters by In Eastern Orthodoxy, this day, known as
many workers who have lost their jobs . This is of protestors are holding the state to ransom. often than not putting their feet into their
8 April to 12 April 1909 on account of 2012, when the state would celebrate the gold- Holy and Great Saturday, is also called The
the time when these workers, instead of having This is the truth prevailing in Goa in recent years. mouths. The reason for this trend of film and
Holy Week (Easter Day was on 11 April en jubilee of its liberation. But by that time, Great Sabbath since it is on this day that Christ
a lethargic approach towards their faith and fam- Protest against development, protest against sports personalities participating in the election
that year), and there were no editions Goans would be in a minority and would wonder “rested” physically in the tomb. But it is also
ilies, should work to build a strong rapport with industrialization, protest against any progress in process could be on the rise because politics is
published in that period. The column if they are celebrating Liberation of Goa from the believed that it was on this day he performed
God in upholding their faith. the state. Mr Nitin Kuncolienkar, President of today all fun and games and a world of make-
‘100 Years Ago’ will therefore appear Portuguese or Liberation of Goa from the Goans. in spirit the Harrowing of Hades and raised up
The Catholic Church must look into enriching GCCI, has rightly brought out these facts. A hand- believe. Naturally film stars are quite at home in
again only on 14 April. Now Sonia is coming to Goa again on 16/17 to Paradise those who had been held captive
and empowering these workers not just by their ful of so-called NGOs are holding the very this situation with the breed of politicians who
April to raise false hopes again and ask Goans to there.
homilies but also encourage them to form a progress of state to ransom by protesting against populate the legislatures.
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