THE Bible declares that one repentant sinner is dearer to Jesus Christ than a hundred pious souls. It is perhaps in this spirit that Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao and the convener of the 18th St Francis Xavier Exposition Committee Fr Henry Falcao rolled out the red carpet to the politicians of Goa. Starting with Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai who is the government’s BJP nominee in Goa. The BJP needs the Church more than the Church needs the BJP. The harsh reality for the BJP is that it is dependent on the support of the Catholic MLAs elected on its party ticket for survival in and outside the legislative assembly. It is therefore not surprising that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was seated in the first row on a special chair during the feast mass of St Francis Xavier on December 3, 2024. The CM also released a message insisting that “All religions are one. Goa’s nature is one of unity peace and harmony. We have to keep this peace in Goa and at the same time we have to keep Goa clean and beautiful.” Sawant added that the state government wants to spread the message that Goa is the place where harmony prevails and all religions are equal. He of course does not talk about clean politics.
The Catholic political brigade was in full attendance at the feast mass celebration of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa on December 3, 2024. Both Deputy Chairman of the Exposition Committee Mauvin Godinho and Nuvem MLA Alexio Sequeira were present and got themselves photographed with Cardinal Antonio G Tagle visiting Goa from the Philippines, who was the main celebrant at the feast mass. Also present was Old Goa MLA Rajesh Phaldessai. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte not only attended the mass but was also give special preferential access to pay homage to the relics of St Francis Xavier on display at the Se Cathedral for the duration of the decennial exposition.
Amongst the majority of Goa’s MLAs who were present at the mass were Vijai Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party, Vinesh Borkar, the Revolutionary Party MLA, and former MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar. The South Goa Member of Parliament Venzy Veigas and former South Goa MP Churchill Alemao were present with entire family. Significantly, all the politicians spoke to the media after the mass and had themselves photographed with the cardinals.
Reportedly over almost 10,000 ordinary pilgrims attended the feat mass. However, the ordinary pilgrims had to sit behind the barrier which the Exposition Committee created to separate VVIP political guests and the general public. This was despite the claim before the feast day that no preference would be given to anyone to attend the mass or to pray at the relics of St Francis Xavier.
Fr Henry Falcao has repeatedly stressed that even senior citizens should stand patiently in the queue to worship the relics of St Francis Xavier. Only the physically and mentally handicapped were supposed to get priority and enter the Se Cathedral through the side entrance. Thousands stood in the queue patiently which stretched right up to the entrance of the Se Cathedral complex. But all the politicians were escorted through the side door for immediate entry to the place where the revered saint’s immortal relics were put on exhibit and display.
Cardinal Antonio G Tagle revealed that he had been deputed by Pope Francis to preside over the festival mass of St Francis Xavier. Tagle said he would communicate the strong faith of Goans to Pope Francis on his return. Tagle also warned against fake news and gossip. Tagle’s clarion call was “Spread love not hate.”