The Works

| 2002 |

Goa archdiocese all set for Synod 2002 - 2

Growing concern towards ‘lucrative’ tourism and ecological degradation in the state has prompted church authorities to probe the possibility of starting a Social Action Forum in every parish of the archdiocese.

An effective plan for ‘humane’ tourism and creating awareness of problems affecting forests, water resources, silting of rivers and industrial pollution are some of the social issues to be deliberated at the week-long Diocesan Synod, which starts on February 17.

The views and recommendations put forth by the catholic community in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman form part of the Position Paper, to be submitted for discussion at the Synod in the Pastoral Institute in Old Goa.

Archbishop Raul Gonsalves gave his formal approval to the Position Paper in his circular on January 21.

‘We have been able to identify pastoral needs and challenges our Archidiocese is facing at present times, and to formulate concrete proposals for proper study and deliberation at the Synod so that the Synod’s own proposals and recommendations may be presented for our approval and subsequent implementation in the Archdiocese,’ stated the archbishop in his circular.

Given below are a few of the recommendations and proposals of the Position Paper being put forward to ascertain the needs, aspirations and suggestions of the priests, religious and lay people.

Diocesan pastoral bodies:

* Efforts should be made to resolve the issue of whether Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli should continue to be part of the Archdiocese of Goa.

Bishops and Ordinaries:

* The Archbishop of Goa and Daman is presently assisted by an Auxiliary Bishop. It is recommended that there be two Auxiliary Bishop in the archdiocese for a more effective sharing of responsibilities.

Biblical ministry:

* A translation of the entire Old Testament in Konkani is the urgent need of the hour.

Liturgical ministry:

* All important parish feasts should be celebrated by the entire parish community and the system of ‘president’ of the feasts should be abolished.

* Our processions (feasts, funerals, etc) that hinder public traffic on highways and other busy roads should be seriously reviewed.

* No liturgical celebration, specially the Eucharist, should be allowed in places where proper decorum and religious atmosphere cannot be maintained, ie roadside crosses.

* Commercial or professional choirs, that tend to be showy and performance-oriented, without leading the community to participation, should be discouraged.

* Konkani must remain the normal language especially for the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist.

Social ministry:

* The establishment of a Social Action Forum in every parish should be taken up as a pastoral priority.

* A sustained campaign against alcoholism is to be maintained. Public consumption of alcohol on church/chapel grounds and near public crosses is to be discouraged.

* Effective plan for ‘humane’ tourism must be an essential component of the pastoral planning in Goa.

* Awareness must be created of the problems affecting forests, water resources, silting of rivers, industrial pollution and disposal of urban municipal waste.

Culture:

* Clear norms should be formulated by the Diocesan authorities for entertainment and cultural programmes organised by our parishes and religious institutions.

Education:

* A full-day school system could be introduced in the diocesan schools.

* Considering the great need for career guidance and counseling, professional counselors should be appointed in Catholic schools.

* Vocational courses should be introduced in the catholic schools.

* To have special preference for the poor in admissions, remedial coaching, book banks and subsidised uniforms. Funds should be raised for scholarships for the poor.

* Higher education in the fields of technology, mass media and information technology should be provided. The Archdiocese should seriously consider having an institute of its own.

Mass Media:

* The Church in Goa should broadcast regularly relevant programmes of its own in local TV and cable TV. It is high time that the Church in Goa, together with some of the surrounding dioceses like Belgaum, Karwar, Mangalore, Pune, Mumbai and Vasai, should have its own production unit for TV and radio programmes and work towards it own TV channel.

* A Catholic newspaper for Goa should be started. The Archdiocese could have its own website.

Poor:

* Due representation should be given to the poor in the parish in all the participatory structures of the parish and the diocese.

* Preference should be given to the poor in all our Catholic schools and other educational institutions as far as admissions, scholarships, jobs, etc are concerned.

Confraternities (Confrarias):

* As a wholehearted expression of the essence of Christian fellowship, the one confraria of each parish should grant full rights, including voting rights, to women.

* There have been a number of responses that advocated the abolition of the Confraternities because of the clannish, caste, discriminatory and excluvist attitude that has often led to disunity in the parishes.

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