While delivering his landmark judgment on Pe. Chico Monteiro in a Panjim court in mid sixties, Justice Jetley concluded saying “Fr., You being a man of God , you must confine your activities within your religion only without interfering in politics”. Pe. Chico was insisting that Goa was invaded but according to the landmark judgment of Supreme Court of India, “Goa was conquered by India” and as such we officially all Goans are conquered people. Justice Jetley was expert only on legal matters having Zero knowledge of Christianity which otherwise allows clergy and Church leaders to fight against the injustice as we see all around the globe. Pe. Chico’s fight according to him, against the government of India was the fight against injustice done to Goa by Nehru’s government by interfering in Goa militarily thru violence.
Priests and Bishops are known to take active part in politics to fight for justice in society especially for the weaker section. In Nicaragua the Sandinista government of Daniel Ortega had priests in his Cabinet doing so well against injustice. However, while serving the government they never neglected their pastoral duties.
Fr. Torres some years back in South America removed his priestly robe when it was obligatory to wear, took a gun and threatened the bandits who were harassing his mission of giving shelter to the street boys. He took this step when he found the political will wanting from the local politicians to allow him to do his charitable work. He was fighting for justice for these poor boys.
When Ferdinand Marcos was committing all the excesses in Philippines, it was Cardinal Sin of Philippines who revolted against Marcos and got him defeated in the ensuing election by bringing in Corazon Aquino. This revolt of Cardinal Sin even had the approval of the then Pope who noticed lot of injustice done by Marcos to his people there.
Martin Luther King in USA, used Pulpit to preach politics against injustice and thru this method he brought in changes in society.
The former Polish Pontiff had actively worked against Communism till it collapsed in Russia and in Eastern Europe. Under communist regimes people faced lot of injustice then.
These are just a few examples where priests and church leaders took active part in the political, social and other aspects of society to bring about justice in society.
Coming back to Goa where Fr. Eremito Rebello is leading a movement against Mopa Airport, there are lopsided voices against him saying he must as a priest desist from involving in such activities which should be left into the hands of politicians. As for me I see no reason for him to withdraw just because he is a priest. Priests are bound to fight for justice and since Mopa Airport is going to do injustice to Goa, Fr. Rebello must fight and in this fight every Goan seeking justice must support him. Even Jesus Christ fought against injustice.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.