At the St Francis Xavier feast mass on 3rd December, Rev Alex Dias, Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair while preaching his homily so very rightly gave an earful to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other elected representatives who were seated in the front rows of the audience.
He had a meaningful message eloquently hitting the nail on the head of the elected representatives of Goa when he reminded them that they were elected to work at serving the people and the preservation of our beautiful Goa. Sadly, he lamented the fact that they all too often failed to do it. He cautioned them not to be greedy for wealth and not to fill their pockets but to serve the people.
After the Mass, instead of beating a hasty retreat to amend their ways and put into action the wise words of the Bishop Emeritus delivered in the presence of our Goencho Saib St Francis Xavier, these very VIPs chose instead to hog a mouthful of festive delights served in the sacristy of the Basilica. Whether it was proper to serve those snacks in the sacred sacristy is another issue.
It is outrageous that after all their sins, those in Power have the audacity to seek VIP treatment at our Mosques, Temples and Churches. It is high time that our religious heads draw the line instead of meekly towing the line of the politicians.
At the religious shrines, preferential treatment if any should be given to the poor, downtrodden and marginalized. When will the religious heads and political leaders realise that we are all equal in the eyes of God and in the House of God. The creation of VIPs and special treatment for a selected few is an affront to what faiths profess.
A donation is given as an offering with no expectation of a return or for a favour. But politicians at election time craftily donate which is a devious way of bribing and buying votes. This our spiritual leaders should not allow. The purity and sanctity of places of worship must not be desecrated and the fundamental teachings of the faith must be upheld at all times.
