Cautious Optimism, as Church in Goa Forges New Ties With BJP in Post-Parrikar Era

By Melvyn Misquita –

(Courtesy: The Goan)

Panaji: Having enjoyed close ties with late Manohar Parrikar, either as chief minister, defence minister or opposition leader, for nearly two decades, the Church in Goa will have to forge a new relationship with the BJP in general, and a BJP-led government in particular, in the post-Parrikar era.

Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant

With a new chief minister and government in place, senior priests in the Church were asked to comment on the Church’s expectations of the new Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and his government.

“The new Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, has in his initial remarks, rightly said he wants to carry forward the legacy of the late CM Manohar Parrikar. If I may encapsulate this legacy, it would be governance that was progressive and inclusive,” said Fr Anthony Fernandes, executive secretary at the Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat.

“The church would expect this kind of governance from the new chief minister. Governance where all communities are accepted, respected and taken along in the path of sustainable progress of Goa. Governance that is sensitive to the apprehensions and aspirations of all sections of society, especially the minorities,” said Fr Fernandes.

Added Dr Victor Ferrao, professor at Rachol Seminary: “I think the church would expect good governance and active promotion of peace and harmony in our society in Goa.”

“Like the relations we had with late CM Manohar Parrikar, we wish these cordial relations to continue and look forward for assistance, whenever we need, to shoulder our spiritual, social and educational responsibilities.”

A senior priest in the diocese felt Dr Pramod Sawant should continue the legacy left for him by Parrikar “of respecting the opinion of the Church and of the Christian minority, in spite of all pressures he may have from the hard core RSS cadre.”

“As Speaker, Sawant has proved to be a good gentleman and has given equal opportunities to every member of the House. If he continues in the same spirit as Chief Minister, he will do justice to the post he holds,” the senior clergyman said.

Given the warm relations the church had enjoyed with late Parrikar, there was cautious optimism on whether the new chief minister could and would continue these close ties with the Church.

“It is clear that the late Parrikar realized after his initial phase as the chief minister that ideological puritanism doesn’t work in a multi-cultural and multi-religious context of India. So, we saw a chief minister who evolved into a better statesman and leader who moved from idealism to realpolitik,” Fr Fernandes said.

“The new Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant would do well to counter the pulls and pressures of ideological forces to take along every Goan for the sake of sustainable development of Goa which also implies sustainable socio-cultural cohesion and amity.”

“The new chief minister can and should continue these cordial ties, as engagement, not alienation, is the only path to progress and good governance.” “What is true of the new chief minister is also true of the Church. The institutional church has to learn to rise above petty political considerations of its constituents and engage with the government of the day, however unpalatable it may seem to some of its own fanatics. We wish new the chief minister the very best,” Fr Fernandes added.

Fr Ferrao admitted he was unsure on what the new Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant would do.

“But I hope and pray that he shows the courage and strength that his mentor late Manohar Parrikar exhibited by taking on the narrow, rabid elements within his own right-wing forces, so that Goa and all Goans are served amicably and justly,” said Fr Ferrao.

Said a senior priest, who did not want to be named: “Having observed Dr Sawant as a well-polished gentleman, I am sure he will continue the good relations that the right-wing BJP government had with the Church and being less aggressive than Parrikar, may even take it progressively forward.”