MUMBAI: The Goa Church is again in the news as parish priests have been found to be blatantly backing controversial candidates in the forthcoming Assembly elections. The Church has earlier also aken sides in the political arena, for example, it backed BJP in 2012 thus paving the way for the party to come to power.

During the Christmas Eve mass at Taleigao, priest of St. Michael’s parish Mariano Conceicao openly exhorted the faithfuls to vote for Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate and his wife Jennifer Moneserrate in the Assembly polls. “Give them a Christmas gift by making them win with a big margin,“ exhorted Conceicao during the sermon.

The Taleigao priest’s sermon raised eyebrows because of the open support for a controversial candidate. Among the many controversies surrounding Babush Monserrate one is that he has been accused of raping a minor girl last year who was employed in his house. He was arrested and got bail after spending 13 days behind the bar in May. Monserrate’s eldest son was also accused of raping a minor German girl in 2008; the case was dropped after the girl refused to pursue the case. In the same year, Monserrate was accused of leading a violent mob that thrashed police per sonnel at a police station.

AAP candidate from Taleigao Cecille Rodrigues, who is pitted against Jennifer, refused to comment on the sermon. Interestingly, Cecille was present at the same Christmas Eve mass and sat uncomfortably when the priest made the speech. The church has clearly frowned upon the speech and called it a `sad’ incident.

This is not an isolated incident.When contacted, many candidates from various politicalparties claimed that the local parish priests have been canvassing for particular candidates. When they are not openly supporting, the priests are giving letters of support, said candidates.

It’s not just the parish priests, even the Church is under the scanner for influencing the selection of candidates. Goa Congress MLA Alex Sequiera, who wanted to contest from Muven, was denied a ticket by his party. “When I asked my well-wishers in the AICC, I was told that the Church did not want me to be given a ticket. I am not inclined to disbelieve what they have said. However, I would also like to give the Church a benefit of doubt as to why would they do this?“ asked Sequiera.

He said that there was a possibility that someone could have played a mischief in the name of the Church. While Sequiera has quit politics altogether after being denied a ticket, his supporters have openly asked the Church to come clean and clarify whether they have any role to play .

Father J Loiola Pereira, secretary to the Archbishop of Goa, in response to a questionnaire sent by ET admitted that they have come across `stray cases’ of parish priests canvassing from the altar. Pereira said, “We have received reports of some stray cases of parish priests who have tried to canvass for a particular candidate from the altar. They are not supposed to do that, but nothing impedes a priest from revealing to others whom he is going to vote for and why , outside the altar platform.“

Referring to the Congress candidate Alex Rodrigues’ claim, Pereira called the allegation `baseless’. In a statement the Church said, “It is truly regrettable that a well-known politician should publicly accuse the church authorities of opposing his nomination without even seeking to cross-check with the same authorities the alleged information he claims to have received from his party higher-ups.“

It further added, “Such disclosures will always remain personal and are not to be taken as the official position of the Church.“

(Source: Economictimes)