PANJIM: Expressing concern over the grave threat posed by child sex tourism, archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao has called for comprehensive legislation and a strong mechanism that will forcefully declare zero tolerance for child sexual abuse.
"The magnitude of an already existing internal problem and the prospect of its escalation to pandemic proportions with the onslaught of sex tourism should make everyone sit up and take serious note," he pointed out.
Citing the example of Thailand, which he said has recently cracked down on the child sex tourism industry, Ferrao urged the state government to follow suit and bring an end to the menace in Goa.
"The lords of the sex trade have been looking out for fresh locations and India, presents herself as an ideal alternative. Goa, which is being presented as a 365-day holiday destination, is increasingly seen as the most viable place for such a shift of operations," he said.
The archbishop was speaking at the inaugural function of the two-day State Consultation on 'Protecting Children in Tourism: Role of the Goa Children's Act 2003'. The consultation will see participation from various NGOs and children's organizations.
"India is home to 20% of the world's children. It also has the dishonour of having the largest number of sexually abused children in the whole world," Ferrao said. The archbishop warned that "the state was heading for doom if it did not take urgent steps to curb the onslaught of child sex tourism". "Most certainly there are millions of unreported cases of child prostitution and sexual abuse, shrouded behind a veil of silence, shame and secrecy. What is being done about all this?" he questioned.
Director of Child Rights Goa, Nishtha Desai lamented the watering down of the provisions of the Act through amendments in 2004 and 2005. "Terms like 'shall' have been changed to 'may', making many of the provisions non-binding," Desai stated. She bemoaned that convictions produced under the Act were nil.
Recalling the first paedophilia conviction in Goa, Desai said, "Freddy Peats, who was running a children's shelter was in the possession of over 2,000 child pornography photographs. Some studio developed the photographs for him, but did not report the matter."
She called for budgetary allocation and continuity in implementation of the Act. "Implementation should not be dependent on officials," she added. An illustrated children's booklet on the GCA was released on the occasion. – TNN
Mr.(the priests are not fit to be addressed as fathers)Filipe Neri Ferrao has called for comprehensive legislation and a strong
ReplyDeletemechanism that will forcefully declare zero tolerance for child sexual
abuse.
I am asking him is he sleeping when the priests from Goa are indulging in molesting minor girls?
Is he sleeping when his other priests sleep with others wives specially whose husband work abroad?
Is he sleeping when there is so much loot and corruption in church matters?
or is he sleeping himself in some other company?
when the god himself start robing, molesting, raping, etc. where the common man has to turn to?
NRIs pl note* most of the wives and daughters of NRGoans are found most of the time at the parochial house.
why we need this middle man to reach to god?
you sweat it out abroad to earn money but here in Goa your wife lives like a queen.
afedupgoan
With due respects "The Concern " Should have been raised long back ! it too late I guess ..
ReplyDeleteZero tolerance for child sexual abuse? Wasn't the little poor girl from Ribandar in the Fr. Newton case abused? Wasn't she a "child" then? Since when confessions are held in the living rooms of the priests?
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS A FUNNY STATEMENT IN THE ARTICLE: "Most certainly there are millions of unreported cases of child prostitution and sexual abuse, shrouded behind a veil of silence, shame and secrecy. What is being done about all this?" he questioned.
The answer is that these type of scoundrels are protected by the government of the criminals same as our Archbishop protected Fr. Newton by sending him overseas, same as Atala's case by the Goa Police. And same as the Monserrates chased the German mother with her girl back to her country.
Try this test out, http://www.bestoday.com.au/wind/archives/000475how_corrupt_is_your_mind.php
ReplyDeleteIF so called fr Newton in ribander case cannot keep his wov of celibacy he can get married, nobody can stop him from doing this .If he represents christ theni f he molests a minor he is wrong,it better for a mill stone the put round his neck and he be drowned.Why does he run Canada is christ not in goa? WHY DOES HE HAR5ASS A 80 YEAR OLD ROAMN CATHOLIC? WHOM IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION P
ReplyDeleteILLEPE NERI? DOES PHILLIPE NERI CARE for his flock ? LET the TRUTH PREVAIL.OR ELSE CHRIST WILL PREVAIL, for he is LORD,and PHILIPPE NERI WILL KNOW THE TRUTH?
arch bishop resign, if you cannot protect you sheep,it is better to loose the world than to loose you soul
ReplyDeletephillipe neri,most respected
ReplyDeleteif you cannot defend the truth let fr. newton take your chair,
you can resign. XT WILL JUDGE YOU AND THE AUTHOR THE COMMENTATOR OF THIS MAGAZINE
Dalia is right. Father Niwton has openly shown that you can do whatever you want as long as the Archbishop is there to protect you. Plus, as a bonus, you get to go abroad and continue your immorality. This is an example for other priests to follow. We are talking abouot Goa Police everytime, but our religion is become worse than the current political scene in Goa.
ReplyDelete