PANJIM: A delegation of members of Catholic Community met Mr Shantaram Naik, MP, and demanded that Mr Naik take up with the Government of India, the issue of granting subsidy to the members of the Christian community, intending to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
The delegation was led by Mr Nelson Lopes of Chinchinim, accompanied by the general secretary of Goa PCC, Mr Altinho Gomes.
The delegation contended that the cost of undertaking the journey is very high and that average member of the community cannot afford such a journey.
They said that Jerusalem is a very significant site and that it is rightly called the Holy Land, and that, the history of the Catholic religion is rooted there, as it was the birth place of Lord Jesus.
The delegation recalled that Mr Naik had met the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, along with a delegation of MPs belonging to the Christian community, and therefore, they feel that Mr Naik should reiterate the demand before the PM.
In response, Mr Naik told the delegation that he would certainly try to take up the matter with the government but, there are some legal hurdles as of now, since a scheme of the Andhra Pradesh Government providing for such a subsidy has been stayed by the Supreme Court.
Mr Naik advised the delegation to take up the matter with the Goa government too, so that if the court stay operating at present is vacated, the Goa government can also think of a scheme for the purpose, though to a limited extent considering the financial constraints of the state government.
Other members of the delegation included Mr Agnivo Martins, Mr Willy D’Silva and Mr Jesus Viegas.
If Paigambar Baba of Monte Dongor can send his community to Mecca directly from Goa with discounted tickets, why not for Catholics? The Paigambar Baba failed to deliver his promise to give them a place for decent burial after huge promises. But sending them to Mecca gives him utmost publicity in photographs than the one that can get with a man in the grave.
ReplyDelete