PANJIM: The former Parish Priest of Ribandar Fr. Newton Rodrigues currently Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada today sought to withdraw the complaint filed by him in 2004 against Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 others. Adv. Amit Palekar appearing on behalf of Father Newton Rodrigues today submitted before Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai an application signed by Father Newton Rodrigues seeking withdrawal of the case.
After Adv. Rodrigues strongly opposed the application filed by Father Newton Rodrigues, the Judge has fixed the matter on 30th June for the arguments on the application moved by Father Newton Rodrigues while stating that meanwhile the proceedings of the case will continue.
Adv. Aires Rodrigues strongly objected to the contents of an affidavit filed by Father Newton Rodrigues today along with the application to withdraw the complaint. Father Newton Rodrigues in his affidavit stated that though the alleged incident of trespassing into the church corridor in 2004 had actually happened he has now forgiven Adv. Aires Rodrigues and the other accused.and that Adv Rodrigues should not file any case for defamation or damages against him.
Adv. Rodrigues today told the court that he does not need forgiveness from Father Newton Rodrigues and that he would prove his innocence beyond doubt in Court. Adv. Rodrigues drew the attention of the court to the ordeal that he and 14 others including a 80 year old wideo had to face over the last seven years due to this false and malicious case filed by Father Newton Rodrigues.
The Court today completed the cross examination of Old Goa Police Sub Inspector H.L.Hanshakutti who had initially investigated the case. On being cross examined by Adv. Aires Rodrigues for over an hour PSI Hanshakutti today told the court that an F.I.R was registered at the Old Goa Police Station in August 2004 against Father Newton Rodrigues for having allegedly molested a 13 year old girl.
Police Inspector Braz Menezes who later investigated the case at the Crime Branch will depose in Court on June 28th as the last prosecution witness.
The Court has already issued a warrant of arrest against Father Newton Rodrigues for not being present in court despite being summoned. It was on Fr. Newton Rodrigues’s complaint that Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents were charge sheeted for trespassing into the church corridor and disturbing a church committee meeting.
In 2004 Adv. Aires Rodrigues was leading an agitation demanding action against Fr. Newton Rodrigues for having allegedly molested a 13 year old girl from Ribandar. While Adv. Aires Rodrigues and others were charge sheeted for confronting Fr. Newton Rodrigues, the case filed against Fr.Newton Rodrigues by the mother of the 13 year old girl who was allegedly molested by Fr. Newton was closed after then Governor of Goa Mr. S.C Jamir reportedly intervened to save Fr. Newton Rodrigues from being charge sheeted.
What a change of heart? What made it so after so many years? Forgiveness? I doubt his intentions at this stage!
ReplyDelete"The bible says to give the right cheek if someone slaps you non the left one"
ReplyDeleteUnfrly(unfatherly) Newton must have never come across this teachings from the bible.
all the Goan priest owe a statement to Goans.
If any injustice is done then you see priest come to the streets, when the culprit is one amongst them they just turn a blind eye.
A challenge to all the Goan priests and their head "he who has not touched intentionally a female breast or otherwise kindly stand up and say what unfrly Newton did is done by almost all the priests and some times more".
A final comment, either allow them to marry or amputate their penis, is it clear for everybody?
Thanks and god bless only those whose upper hand nor the middle hand didn't slip by mistake.
areallyfedupgoan
They say good sence prevails, in his case he has insulted the catholic community for not clearing his name.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know that Fr Newton has taken the advice of commentators here on Niz Goenkar.
ReplyDeleteSadly he seems to have jumped "from the frying pan onto the fire".
I personally think he has done more damage to the Church by being stubborn and obstinate in filing a defamation case in Canada, against Aires.
There is a saying..."never run from troube as trouble runs faster".
If he was preserving his respect, he has failed miserably.His actions, to date, have had the opposite effect.
He has now also damaged his respect / reputation in Canada.
Today, reading his request to withdraw the case, he will now be seen as a "Karma Chameleon".