By Lissy Kurian
Panaji, June 14, 2023: Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, the archbishop of Goa and Daman, has urged his people to reach out to those keeping away from the Church such as people in live-in relations.
“Jesus was a leader who went in search of (lost) people. Likewise, we need to love and welcome those who have isolated themselves from the Catholic Church and those who work against the Church and her mission,” the cardinal said in the archdiocese’s latest annual pastoral letter that seeks the faithful’s help to renew the Church.
In the latest letter, the 70-year-old cardinal urges his people to integrate Catholic migrants into the parish structures, give a greater role to the physically disabled, and welcome gender and sexual minorities and those in live-in relationships.
He reminds his people that the Church that renews itself is “a dynamic Church and a dynamic church is a missionary Church.”
“A Church that fails to adapt herself to the times becomes atrophied and grows old. The renewal of the Church is inevitable if she remains faithful to her vocation and her mission,” the cardinal asserts.
The cardinal on June 1 released the pastoral letter for 2023-2024 with the theme, “You also should do as I have done to you “(Jn 13,15) that stressed Church renewal through dialogue with the world.
The archdiocese has issued the annual pastoral letters since Cardinal Ferrao became its archbishop in 2004.
The previous year had two themes: ‘Follow Me,’ and ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission,’ the theme of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops October 2023.
The theme for the 2021-2021 was, “You are my witnesses.”
In the latest letter, the cardinal exhorts the people “to establish Good Samaritan Fund in parishes to reach out efficiently to the needs of the orphans, aged the widows and those in the peripheries.”
Speaking on “dialogue with the world around us,” he urges his people to “be constantly in dialogue with the government and other social institutions. By doing so, the Church, like Jesus, collaborates in the betterment of society.”
He also urges the lay faithful “to participate in Gram Sabha (village council) meetings and dedicate themselves to the important task of renewing the world.”
He reminds the Christians involved in political and social realms to follow the path of truth and justice taught by Jesus.
Calling for the care of Creation Cardinal Ferrao urges everyone to be “mindful of the way one uses water and food and to avoid wastage. This is one of the ways by which we can be at the service of the poor and the needy.”
Holy Trinity Chruch Benaulim – I have no much clue, reason to shunt out Parish Priest, most probably sounds like invloving in parish held property or financial misconduct, either one.
Question to Archbishop Cardinal – Parisheners submitted letter to Archbishop, he did nothing there was no action from his end, he should have invited parisherner’s to discus the matter across the table to sort it out amicably, and when people’s voice became louder, he shuts the door of Church, is this the correct way of acting?. is this a teaching of Jesus Christ.
Old Goa Bungalow – As a head of Goa Church, it was his duty to reach out to the people of Goa through Church to make them aware of some illigality going on within the proximity of World Heritage site at initial stage itself and not wait until contruction was completed. Bishop did nothing, not a word came from his mouth against that Bungalow, why people woke up at the last minute. As a head, he could have and had power to stop that contruction. He could have used his office to reach out to CM, he only know to invite bunch of 40 jockers every year to have feast with them. Was there hidden agenda like in the case of Divar island sale that stopped him to act?.
Lastly, as a head of Catholic Chruch, he should do some study and find out the reason and cause, why so many catholic people are leaving the church to move to different religous denominations and how to stop them.
Church held properties – In my opinion, piece of church properties should go to poorest of the poor parisheners who has nothing, to build small shelter above the head and not to sell any of the properties for highest bidders.
1) What is Happening in Holy Trinity Church in Benaulim Salcette Goa ?
2) Why the Holy Trinity Church & Cemetery Locked ?
3) Rev. Mosin Ataide & Rev. Adv. Micael Alleluia Fernandes ( Vasco-da-Gama ) & others have written my Articles in
Press in Goa about the Issues of Holy Trinity Church in Benaulim Salcette Goa. Please Clarify the issues raised of
Holy Trinity Church in Benaulim…
4) On who’s Property The Bungalow inOld Goa Built ?
5) Is the Bungalow built legally & with all due Formalities?
6) Why THE BJP Government in Goa harassing Catholics & committing other atrocities on Goans & Goan Catholic
Institutions & What Action The Church is Goa is Taking ?
7) Can The Church Leadership in Goa Provide Answers to the Questions ASAP ?
Did you sleep all these years? How will people follow Christianity when you as a head dosen’t protect them? Are you aware of the illegal bungalow at old goa? Don’t you read the news where in bjp through RSS are trying to wipe out the Christianity from Goa?I believe in God and mother Mary, but ashamed of you.
His Grace Arch Bishop Ferrao should also include TRANSPARENCY IN SETTING UP OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES IN THE CHURCH eg. FABRICA etc.
A high level committee including members of all communities irrespective of their CASTE should be formed to look into Church properties, which were donated to the Church Church and have been sold to Real Estate Sharks.
A lot of developmental projects can be carried out for the needy if focus is put on these abovementioned points.
Kudos to Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao for taking the initiative to:
1. Bring back to the church those who are in live-in relationships
2. Urging the laity to participate in Gram Sabha meetings and dedicate themselves to renewing the world.
3. To be mindful of water usage and food; and to avoid wastage of water and food at all costs.
He should also one more point – Financial Literacy of the Laity in keeping with the modern times.