Monday 28 March 2016

Assault on Ravindra Velip of Cavrem inside Sada Jail, Vasco

Date: 28th March 2016

To,
The Inspector General of Prisons,
Government of Goa,
Panjim, Goa

Subject:  Assault on Ravindra Velip of Cavrem inside Sada Jail, Vasco

Sir,

We write to express our outrage against the assault against Cavrem Panchayat member Ravindra Velip inside the Sada Jail, Vasco on 23rd March 2016. As per our information Ravindra Velip was blindfolded inside the Jail and then beaten up leading to fractures to his body.

We do not know as to who are involved in beating up of Ravindra Velip and want you to investigate as to who are the culprits involved and register FIR against those involved in this assault.

It is very shocking to note that the prison that was hosting Ravindra Velip has allowed this major criminal activity to take unfold. Ravindra Velip was not an ordinary law offender. He can be classified as ‘Political prisoner’ as he was arrested for resisting mining in his village of Cavrem in South Goa.

We condemn this beastly assault on Ravindra Velip inside the Sada jail. We want to know the truth of the matter as to who was involved in this attack. Are the attackers were from within Jail premises? Are they from outside? What is the intention of assault? If attackers are the jail staff then why did they assault Ravindra Velip? Whose command they obeyed? If attackers are from outside the jail then how did they came inside the jail and attacked jail inmate without connivance of insiders at Sada Jail? Are any politicians, legislators or mining companies involved in this attack on Ravindra Velip? We are faced with several issues of grave implications.

Moreover Cavrem villagers we got to know from media that are suspecting Sanguem MLA Subhas Phaldesai and Fomentos, a mining company. This is very serious allegation that needs in-depth probe. Past record of both – Phaldesai as well as Fomentos – has criminal character and the villagers’ claims on the involvement of these two cannot be brushed aside.

We therefore urge you to investigate this matter without political pressure. Due to imminent political pressure on your office to hush up the matter it is of paramount importance that judicial probe be launched in this case of assault on Ravindra Velip, member of Cavrem Panchayat.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Sebastian Rodrigues

Sd/-


Convenor, 
Goa State

From Coconut Trees to Oil Wells



Anthony Veronica Fernandes, From Coconut Trees to Oil Wells: Journeys, Links, and Solidarity between Goa and Kuwait. Saligao, Goa, Goa 1556, 2016 144 pp. Rs. 200 paperback.

During these tense moments, while was running for dear life with gunshots heard from behind, I was constantly praying to God. My plea was to save me if only to see my ailing mother who was on her death bed at the time, and who had given me as much as was possible within her very limited means as no other mother in my locality did for their sons. I wanted to escape from this torturous moment to survive and to take care of my beautiful and loving wife Fatima, my beloved son Ashton and my darling daughter Aveshah.”

This book covers exciting ground documenting formidable grounds covered by the author Anthony Veronica Fernandes from Candolim, Goa. The book is extraordinary in its scope covering theses which are mostly brushed asides in scholarly reflections. The book written with all the characteristics of humility has the core theme of work. People from Goa migrated to gulf over the past six decades. One of the destination countries was Kuwait. Over here is the spatial placement with immediate international characteristics.
The international character of this book documents indomitable spirit of the author to stick out his neck and get into personal witnessing of justice – the value in his connects Global and Local at every juncture. There are shifting focuses on what is local though. Having spent 35 years in Gulf working for a private company under hostile labour condition the initiatives of Fernandes are extraordinary. In a days when mass of people are lethargic to take even minor initiatives in Goa when their jobs are secure Veronica’s case is really gutsy. It is but fitting that he has come out with this book that not only is rich documentation of what went on but also inspiring book of life in war and life in Peace  that is nearly war.  The book lets out springs of inspiration from the Author. Those sensitive will absorb and identify with the book very smoothly encountering harsh reality of Kuwait as well as Goa.

The book is masterpiece initiative of charity in most genuine sense. The book is not only in defense of Goans and other Indians working abroad in Kuwait including maids that are subjected to cruel treatments and even rape by Kuwaitis powerful due to Petro dollar, but book is also in defense of Kuwatis held as Prisoners of war. Goans under the fantastic humane leadership of Anthony Veronica Fernandes made global difference in international relations far sidetracking official Kuwait – India diplomatic relations. Anthony Veronica Fernandes personally flew into New Delhi from Kuwait in order to lobby for international support of world leaders stationed in New Delhi to seek release Kuwaiti prisoners of war held in Sadam Hussein’s Iraq. He also communicated this message in this regard to the United Nations.

Needless to say that this initiative is extraordinary in every sense from an ordinary man who has witnessed two political invasions so far in his life time ;Invasion of Goa - as he documents - by India on 17th December 1961 and 29 years later  invasion of Kuwait in on 02nd August 1990. The life after Iraqi occupations ends after US led forces chased Iraq out after seven months on 26th February 1991.

It was during this time after the Indian work force in Kuwait was airlifted from Jordan and brought to Goa via Bombay that took most unusual political twists of the times. The minority of those who returned from Kuwait organized themselves with the support and guidance from many in Goa like Roland Martins that book records and launched movement creating long term influence on the foreign policies of India, Kuwait and Iraq. Mobilization not only was tough owing to perception of hopelessness of any possibilities of Iraq withdrawing from Kuwait and putting end to the Occupation.  Few Goans even flew back into Kuwait when Iraqi government asked them to resume work under their regime in them middle for the war against USA. Most workers including maids stayed back in Goa due to various reasons. Anthony Veronica Fernandes himself had a narrow escape on two occasions. First was on the streets of Kuwait when Iraqi Soldier pointed gun and asked him to run for his life with hands up and secondly, inside his flat when soldiers came to search. On the first occasion Veronica ran for his life and heard a dozen gun shots behind him. But none hit Veronica who describes his state at this moment as that of ‘cockroach’. The second life saving instance he credits his saving of his life to Bible. When the soldiers noticed Bible in his room when soldiers were found to be descended into mental confusion and walked out of his room. He credits his faith to have saved him on both the occasions.

Fernandes has succinct description of both the Occupations – Goa by India and Kuwait by Iraq – in his book. He disapproves both of them. While Iraqi occupation of Kuwait has been global highlight and therefore protests and armed strikes made liberation possible, the case of Indian Occupation of Goa was clear in 1961 and subsequently has been on back burner of global publicity and discourse. This has postponed the possibilities of Liberation further in time. Moreover Liberation of Goa is contentions issue as now it has been well established that India itself is a colony of Eurasians invaders who took over power from British in 1947. Goa is no different these very Eurasians have firm grip over Goa’s economy and thought process. In this sense Liberation discourse needs refashioning of discourse is though a necessity Fernandes’ attempt to get the topic of Indian occupation of Goa is welcome political move. This issue has been long forgotten with deliberate diversionary discourse. What Fernandes calls as Indian Occupation of Goa has an international endorsement though the United Nations Security Council resolution no. 988 dated 18th December 1961. It is veto from USSR that has provided political legitimacy for the Indian Occupation of Goa. The formulation of Indian occupation of Goa needs to to undergo refinement into Eurasian occupation of Goa just as the current case of Eurasian occupation of India itself. It needs clear cut examination as to the subtle motives as to why USSR supported and vetoed in favour of Indian occupation of Goa. Fernandes provokes his readers to ponder deeper into this these that is largely remains self-censored under the discourse of nationalism. Lets venture into reflection as this book provokes us. Indian military it is estimated has over 66,000 acres of land under its control in Goa with several military bases in Navelim, Ponda, Bambolim etc. Indian armed forces has control over civilian airport at Dabolim, has claimed its control over controversial Mopa airport and has got huge track of land under defense ministry in Quitol in Betul Panchayat jurisdiction for permanent venue of Defense Expo beginning from March 2016. The local opposition has been ignored and process of colonialism under what Fernandes calls ‘Indian occupation of Goa’ has been further penetrated and Goa integrated into Global war economy.

He also is very blunt in his criticism of caste system on only in Goa but also practiced by Goans in Kuwait. Fernandes’ contribution to Konkani movement, and Konkani journalism in Goa; aspect that very often gets glossed over in intellectual circles. What is glossed over is actually the contribution of overseas Goans particularly the Gulf Goans and this book is meant to assert and fill this gap. Fernandes makes a point that he is an advocate of Raman script of Konkani. This point is made in the context of how Christians in Goa using Roman script were used as political mob by Eurasians or bamons to fight the bhahujans using Marathi and fighting to get Marathi the status of official language of Goa. Christian and bhahujan clashed with each other and both lost. Bamons skillfully got their concocted language devnagri konkni as official language of Goa. This was done in order to keep Christians as well as bhahujans – the masses of Goa weak so that minority Eurasians seeks to rule Goa in perpetuity. In terms of religions they had already permanent exclusive control over major temples with Mhajan Act that is being under fire with bhahujan revolt in Madkai. For a long time Christian and bhahujans in Goa regarded each other as enemies. This architecture of enmity was founded by Eurasian bamons for their selfish ends. In 1986 leadership of Christians as well as bhahujan failed to see through the game plan of bamons the way politics of language was played out and both staged surrender to the Bamon Raj only to realize it two decade later with the contribution from Ramnath Naik and his book ‘Berlin Wall’.

Life of Goans in Kuwait is tough and hard. Labour laws during his time in Kuwait were very harsh. There was no job security and one can be fired from the Job anytime legally. It is purely based on goodwill of the management of the companies in Kuwait that working was possible. Anthony Veronica describes his own job harsh reality. His management has two Europeans, a German and a British. German had trained Nazi mindset and directly humiliated Veronica on workplace on several occasions.  His British did the same thing but diplomatically. Book records in more details.

The rise of Kuwait as centre of Oil exploration is the base of Goan labour force overwhelmingly mulnivasis attraction into Kuwait. This book is also about the tribute paid to Kuwait for providing jobs to Goans and expression of deep gratitude. This gratitude has expression in extreme from Anthony Veronica Fernandes – Fight for the rights of Kuwaitis taken as Prisoners of war after the Liberation of Kuwait. General tendency is to forget the welfare of the destiny country of employment and focus solely on one’s personal welfare. Most Goans surely must have taken this approach and worked for themselves and family and found their way into oblivions of History. Veronica and his colleagues made a difference because of his ability to demonstrate his concern not only for the welfare of Goans but also welfare of Kuwaitis. He particularly is not has this privilege of unique contribution to history in Goa but also in Kuwait.

When the war was being fought in Iraq in 1990 – 1991 Anthony Veronica Fernandes took lead on his own to organize meetings and marches in defense of Kuwait and against Iraqi invasion of the land that has provided with gainful employment and prosperity. Protests under Goa – Kuwait Solidarity Centre covered in international media. Iraqi government contacted Fernandes to stop this initiative. The protests in Goa supporting Kuwait was going contrary to Indian foreign policy tilt towards supporting the invasion. The tilt changed gradually to oppose the invasion. It was not just USA and England that played in freeing Kuwait in 1991 but also people of Goa even though attendance was less than 10 per cent of 10,000 who retuned to Goa after invasion between August – December 1990. Media highlights of the protests in Goa singled out Goan labour force in Kuwait for the political action. The message of Goans’ support to Kuwaiti freedom struggle not only reached Indian Government and Iraqi government but also reached to Kuwaiti government in exile functioning from a territory in Saudi Arabia. At this time life of Anthony Veronica Fernades was in danger in Goa. Goa Police put him under watch even though he did nothing against Government of India. The political mobilization in support of Kuwait in Indian by returnees from Kuwait at his juncture was the only one even though people from several States in India worked in Kuwait and were deported. But none galvanized themselves to support the country that has helped them to prosper financially. Kuwait was betrayed by rest of Indian workforce and this is well recorded the book.

Even though Kuwaiti Amir was aware of the Goans public demonstrations in support of his country rest of the Kuwaitis were not. It took innovative media offensive from Anthony Veronica Fernandes to reach the message to Kuwaitis. Goans do not control Kuwaiti television or newspapers. Yet Goans has presence in every Kuwaiti home in the form of maid. These very maids were contacted by Veronica after the war was over and after back in Kuwait working and photo documentation of protest in support of Kuwait was prepared. The photo albums numbering 1,000 were prepared. These albulms one each was given to each of the Goan maid to be handed over to their Kuwaiti employers. This changed the views of Goans by Kuwaitis. Maids carried on political task in formidable manner under the tutelage of Fernandes. Suddenly entire Kuwaitis came to know about the support of Goan employees publicly.  1,000 Kuwaiti families influential discussed Goa support. Anthony Veronica Fernandes rose up in stature as the leaders to such extend that Kuwaitis began to treat him as India’s unofficial ambassador in Kuwait. Kuwait government and elites offered lucrative offers to Fernandes as the gesture of their gratitude. Fernandes rejected all the personal favours and simply said “I want Job prosperity to People from Goa in your country.” This surprised not only Kuwaitis but also Goans but established relationship of brotherhood amongst Kuwaitis and Goans. Very soon Video of Goans supporting Kuwait was aired on Kuwaiti national television and Indian Embassy was found itself at receiving ends for not reporting anything of Goan support to Kuwait.

The uprightness and courage of Fernandes comes out very clearly when in his book he critics Kuwaiti males for committing atrocities on Indian females working as maids. Specially when Kuwaitis males are alone at home with their wives and children away these sexual assaults takes place. Fernandes describes this as ‘Animal Power’ of the Kuwaitis.
Book has several insights into Goa and lifer here. Caste system is severely attacked.  Fernandes observes that in North Goa Aldona was a worst Parish in terms of caste discriminations. It may not be a co-incident that Goa’s current Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao hails from Aldona and carried caste based discriminations into the lifeblood of Goa Archdiocese with sale of Vanxim island as show case piece of this nature.

Two other important themes dominate this book very prominently. One is sports and second is konkni theatre – tiatros. Sports is in life blood of the ancestors of Fernandes and details are recorded on book. Fernandes himself was sportsman in his youth with athletics and football as his passion.  Fernandes was fastest in Goa in 100 meters covering in under 11 seconds in 1966 representing St. Joseph School, Arpora. I had a telephonic discussion on this point with the Author and raised this aspect. Fernandes told me “Caste did dot gave us advantage, for I was ‘low’ in their calculations. Sports gave us social respect and we capitalized on it. We never allowed Brahmins to have an upper hand over us. We crushed their attempts to dominate us and sports was the way out.” So there are names not only of his ancestors who shined in sports past decades but also his brothers Peter, late Josemarie and Mickey find their sports carriers mentioned and ultimately comes across as stepping stones to political expression: the theme that is seldom touched and discussed. Sports as path to political power and social respect are new insight for me. He married his long time girl friend Fatima and has two children Aveshah and Ashton. Their sports history is recorded in this book too.

The second theme is of theatre that Fernandes is so passionately involved in commenting upon. His comments are taken very seriously in Tiart fraternity. His comments are there in this book in the interview by Gasper Crasto attached towards the end of the book.
Fernandes worked in Kuwait from 02nd August 1975 to 16th December 2013 with Behbehani Motors Company. At the end of his time in Kuwait there is nothing special that he foresee coming up. This is mainly so because present generation of Kuwait Goans is not as enthusiastic as we were for the cause of Goa and Goans. What his generation has done looks final, book claims. Lets hope this is proved wrong and many more Goans take initiative like that of Fernandes.

There is so much more to write about and distill from this book. Readers are will certainly find this book useful tool for variety of purposes and destine to make difference to the course of understanding of History of the place beloved to Fernandes and to many of us – Goa.

Fernandes has been one of the founders of Goan Overseas Association (GOA) with Raymond D’Sa and relentlessly promoted Konkani and Football. It takes credit for winning statehood for Goa. Book however escapes to note that the first cabinet resolution after statehood to Goa in 1987 was release of master plan for tourism development in Goa. Statehood was granted in order to protect India from criticism when it will take over huge tracks of lands in Goa. State administration could serve as buffer to ward off the criticism of India. Master plan was master sale of Goa’s coast to big capital interests from across the globe and if allowed could render Goans as slaves and minority of hardly any political significance. Everywhere statehood has double agenda – one is open declared one and second one that is hidden from masses – corporate and Bamon agenda. This bluffing trend continues till date now in terms of call for special status for Goa. The same bamons who are involved in selling Goa’s land are asking for special status for Goa. If anyone responsible for ruining Goa they are bamons. Various protests movement that come up are essentially to provide cover for these very bamons. Until they are exposed there is no hope for Goa. Enemy is within Goa and we are looking elsewhere in Delhi. This must change.
The book comes out as master piece on criticality. Let’s see some of the comments for their razor sharp impact:

“Generally speaking, sometimes those who pray the loudest can be the biggest hypocrites.”
“The Portuguese security personnel would scream at Goans with anger for any mistake, or even if we didn’t commit one, calling us “Goesa” (Goans). In a like manner, Kuwaiti Police would shout at us with anger and disdain not only for any small fault or no fault. They would yell at us, using derogatory remarks like “Hindi gauvad” (Indian donkey). The way the Portuguese security personnel inculcated a fear complex in our minds was similar to what the Kuwaiti security personnel did.”

“This was crime not only against Christian Mary but against Islam itself. He hurt and disgraced the greatness of his religion. It was a shame to commit such a rape in the holy month of Ramadan. Such rapes and crimes are very common in Kuwait in all seasons. Islam’s enemies are not just the Zionists, but their own Muslims who bring dishonor by committing un-Islamic acts against poor maids in the Gulf in general and in Kuwait in particular.”

“But later on, almost every Kuwaiti started selling visas for a very fat amount. Visa selling has now become very lucrative business associated with lot of cheating and duping by the section of Kuwaitis.”

“Earlier there was no ID card, but later on one called the hawiah was introduced. This document now plays very important role in anything and everything”.

“In Kuwait too, caste beliefs were very strong among Goan Christians. Even jobs were filled in by some casteist Goan managers after analyzing one’s caste status. One Brahmin bhatkar from (landlord) Saligao, holding a top post in a prominent company, did so. His bias favored ‘high’ caste job-seekers, even if others were fit educationally and professionally.”
“As for me, the caste factor is irrelevant. I am not shy of my humble, poor and ‘low’ background. But I maintain my dignity and lead a decent life without cheating my wife. I have not cheated the community or robbed the trust of the society. I am involved in so many associations but not a single association dismissed me for committing any breach of financial irregularities. This is my dignity which is much higher than the cheapness of caste system.”

“Already terrified by this scene, I noticed one soldier nearby was pointing his gun at me.”
“What a mighty fall for Kuwait. Within a minute, so to say, Kuwait had lost its independent identity, Kuwaitis became countryless, homeless and passportless. Overnight, a dazzling and magnificent country, one of the richest in the world in per capita terms, collapsed like a pack of cards in front of the military might of Iraq.”

“None of the Arab armies and their military arsenals were powerful enough to withstand the military might of tiny Israel, which was implanted in the Middle East by the Zionist lobby in collaboration with imperial British by uprooting innocent Palestinians from their rightful homes and homeland.”

“In 1961, when Indian troops annexed my beloved Goa, I was a young boy doing my schooling at a Portuguese primary school.”

“According to the stories going around, in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, anybody purchasing typewriter could find himself under surveillance; such people were seen as having the potential to write against the system. Saddam was said to have abhorred the intellectual class of society.”


Copy of the book can be purchased from the Author. His mobile number  +91-75-07-394349.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Thursday 17 March 2016

2010 letter seeking appointment with Goa Archbishop

Meeting in response to this letter was held on December 01, 2010. Archbishop Ferrao gave a deaf ear to Vanxim people. He said he does not care for the associations as there are so many of them. When questioned about the financial frauds he put his head down and did not reply. Absolutely crooked way of functioning.He practices diametrically opposite to his preaching and pastoral letters like quoted in above image of appointment letter. Group of priests were present for this meeting along with the Archbishop.This is Bamon Raj in Bishop's house. Undue favoritism to Bamon Mahendra Gaunekar by sabotaging church from within.

Saturday 12 March 2016

Aadhaar Bill today indeed dark day of our history in India

Today indeed a dark day of our history in India. Today's newspapers report that this Aadhaar Bill has been passed in the Parliament. We mourn for this passage of this Bill. We spread mourning all over. We now have no option but to acknowledge that Bamons and their collaborators has established legal framework to control everyone in this country. We have entered one of the darkest phases of our history. Morn my beloved mourn. For these are the days of mourning. Without mourning there is no healing. Mourning heals us. Mourning infuses us with relief. Mourning gets us face to face with roads ahead of us with sign 'dead end' unless you strip away your most personal and intimate data. Mourn my beloved mourn. Today we mourn. Today our country has extended the warfare on every one living within its borders. Mourn my beloved mourn. We have still freedom to mourn. Mourn my beloved mourn till this right too is outlawed and our throats throttled. Mourn my beloved mourn. For our life in India from today has single purpose - to mourn. We mourn. Our Parliament has been turned into cemetery. Corpses of every living human are now technologically tracked. You can no longer dare the ruling bamons. Joy of this Bill is that man of us will not even know that we are turned into living corpses moving around cities and countryside. Yet mourn my beloved, mourn. If you are in your senses mourn. I mourn the the sudden demise of freedom of my body. Big brother is now a confronting reality. Mourn my beloved mourn. Let our tears be the testimony of our protest. Let the ashes of freedom on fire deliver new hope - the sense of mourning. For now sense of mourning alone is our hope. This is not a defeat though. This is red carpet welcome for freedom to walk upright by our side. For this mourning is nice. I mourn. You mourn. He mourns. She mourns. They mourn. For mourning now is our way of life till our gravediggers in Indian Parliament get sense of mourning too. We have a hope one day we shall overcome. Yes we shall overcome. Deep in my heart I do believe we shall overcome one day....

Sebastian Rodrigues, March 12, 2016

Saturday 5 March 2016

Vatican Embassy in India petitioned on Canon Law fraud in Vanxim

March 04, 2016
To,
His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio,
Apostolic Nuncio,
50-C, Niti Marg,
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 
Fax: 011 – 26874286
Subject: Goa Archbishop’s Canon law frauds in Vanxim Island sale
Your Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio,

Greetings of Peace from Goa!

We write to draw your attention to a very serious issue of scandal committed by the Archbishop of Goa Felipe Neri Ferrao. He sold this beautiful island of Vanxim near Old Goa with serious violations of Canon Law and Civil Law. Archbishop and his team instead of apology and rectification of the moral and legal wrongs committed have gone about propaganda overdrive justifying the wrong doings.

We take this step of writing to you after complete deaf ear given to the people of Vanxim even during the personal meeting with the Archbishop in late 2010. This issue has been in public discourse from February 11, 2010 drawing flacks from various quarters in the State of Goa.

This island of Vanxim is located in Mandovi River near Old Goa where you have made many visits for the feasts and exposition of St.Francis Xavier on December the third during past few years. The island has an area of total 7,30,503 square meters. Church owns over 85% of this land through Santa Monica convent of Old Goa.

The island has rich tradition of Christianity as well as paddy fields of rice crops. In the decade of 1990s Goa’s then Archbishop Raul Nicolau Gonsalves secretly entered into Agreement to sale with Mahendra Gaunekar on 09/04/1999. After his retirement new Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao sold this island on February 11, 2006. On both the occasions local people in Vanxim were kept in dark.  The sold land is of Paddy fields and horticultural lands. The land was sold very cheaply at the rate of Rs.06/- per square meters for paddy fields admeasuring 3,00,275 square meters and Rs.20/- per square meters for horticultural lands close to water bodies admeasuring 1,85,275 square meters.

Mahendra Gaunkear then transferred rights over this land to a corporate body named Ozone dealing with real estate in South India for rupees thirty crores. Ozone plans to set up private villas and sell at the rate of Rs.22 crore each, 5 star hotel, helipad, marina and golf course. Archbishop’s house has promised to facilitate handing over every house of Vanxim Island in survey number 1/1 admeasuring 98,200 square meters  (where currently people are residing) to corporate body – Ozone. This is recorded in Joint development agreement of August 11, 2009 between Mahendra Gaunekar and Ozone.

This sale has caused tremendous harm to the village in terms of loss of land, corporate intimidation and disunity amongst the people. The people of Vanxim had never gone to court. It is because of Archbishop people are dragged to court and blackmailed into surrendering the rights over their land.

The sale deed has violated many provisions of canon law. Archbishop openly admits in public that this sale deed that took place in utmost secrecy is morally wrong but legally right. He is morally wrong as well as legally wrong, no notice was served to people of Vanxim neither people were informed nor taken into confidence.  This is both violation of canon law and civil law. Please visit online links for deeper understanding of this fraud here : www.bharatmukti.blogspot.in/2015/12/civil-and-canon-law-fraud-canon-law-fraud-commited-by.html

We came to know about the sale of our island only after 4 years after time bar for challenge of sale deed expired. Our questions to the Archbishop still remain unanswered.  They are:
“We call upon the Archbishop to make transparent documents of Vanxim sale as follows:
1.    All the letters from Tenants Association of Vanxim written in the decade of 1990s that Archbishop and his team claims to have a hand in sale of Vanxim by granting NOC to sell Vanxim. Who are the signatories of these letters?
2.    All the letters sent to Vatican from the Goa Archbishop and his team seeking permissions to sell Vanxim as per requirements of Canon 1291. And all the letters granting permissions to sell Vanxim received from Vatican.
3.    All the reports as per Canon 1292 must be made public. They are the consent reports and minutes from the financial council of the Goa Diocese and the College of Consultors and the experts that gave their advice to sell Vanxim.
4.    Names of those constituted financial council of the Goa Diocese that took decision on Vanxim, Names of those constituted College of Consultors and the names of Experts who recommended sale of Vanxim in entirety. All this needed as per Canon 1292.
5.    What is the actual total amount and where the money has gone from Vanxim sale?
6.    Documents of gift of Vanxim to Santa Monica and the obligations attached to be fulfilled. Which year Vanxim was handed over to Santa Monica Convent? Who did this? For what reason?
The Goa Archbishop Ferrao and his team have committed even more serious canonical violations.
1.    Canon 638 (3) needs permission to alienate land from the Santa Monica convent’s competent superior. Archbishop has kept this information secret.
2.    Canon 1254 (2) requires use to land for the purposes principally: “to order divine worship, to care for the decent support of the clergy and other ministers, and to exercise the works of sacred apostolate and of charity, especially towards the needy.” We understand from this that land cannot be diverted for Golf courses, 5 star hotels, gambling and other luxury commercial housing.
3.    Canon 1377 needs to be actioned against the Archbishop and those priests involved in Vanxim sale – Fr.Arlino de mello. This canon states that “a person who alienates goods without the prescribed permission is to be punished with just penalty.
4.    Canon 1389 must be activated against all those who abused ecclesiastical power to sell Vanxim island and cause harm to Vanxim. Along with Archbishop Ferrao, Archbishop emeritus Gonsalves, Fr.Arlino De mello, ex- procurator, and Fr.Victor Rodrigues, also ex-procurator and current Parish Priest of Nuvem must be punished as per this Canon law.
5.    Canon 1392 prohibits clerics from engaging in business and trade. Yet the Goa Bishop’s house has transformed into centre of business tycoons. Though Vanxim is sold at the rate of Rs.6/- and Rs.20/- per square meter transactions in black money are suspected to be astronomical figures running into crores.
St. Paul in 1 Cor 6:1-6 exhorts that Christians should not summon other members of the faith community into civil court. Goa Archbishop through then Procurator Fr.Victor Rodrigues made sure that every faithful that has paddy fields in Vanxim are dragged in the Deputy Collector’s court that is civil in nature.

Archbishop and priests at Bishop’s house has cause enormous harm to Vanxim Island due to their poor administration of temporal affairs with grave damage to the Church. Vanxim was never given to the Santa Monica to sell for luxury hotels and golf courses. People across Goa are in discussion on the demonic deeds of the Goa Archbishop selling Vanxim Island. No remedy to this harm caused can be found and hence like under canon 1741 just the way pastor can be removed, Goa Archbishop must also be removed from the office.

As the Archbishop Ferrao cannot hold to his position for the Sheppard must be leading the faithful without corruption, sound morality and without illegality. Entire Goa and beyond are aware of this menace. As per above mentioned provisos of canon law Archbishop Ferrao must step down.
We trust your office to initiate action on this matter on priority basis. Kindly convey this detailed message of deep rooted scandal that has hit the Archdiocese of Goa and cancer of corruption has taken deep roots inside the decision making bodies of Goa Archdiocese to Pontiff. Pope Francis is very vocal and we read in newspapers that he has even taken action against the members of hierarchy of the Church responsible for corruption and child abuse. Goa Archbishop Ferrao and his team also come under the category of the members of the Church hierarchy that has to be penalized and transparency installed in all the dealings.

We are worried that if immediate action against Goa Archbishop is delayed then more scandals would surface that would further bring Church into public disrepute. Already print and electronic media are full of news on the scam of Vanxim land deal.

We are aware that few other scandals of Church lands being sold to private parties are simmering in various parts of Goa. There seems to be secret, hidden, clandestine group of people forming cartel are operating in Goa to sell Church lands. Few Priests have openly criticized these practices of the Archbishop of Goa and one Priest, a fierce critic Fr.Bismarque Dias belonging to Blessed Sacrament Fathers has been found murdered four months ago (November 05, 2015) on St.Estevam Island that is located closer to Vanxim Island.

We call upon your kind intervention of the Holy See in Rome. You as an Ambassador of the Vatican in India we place our hope and trust in you to initiate appropriate action against Goa Archbishop in consultation with Pope Francis and Roman Curia and to initiate steps towards safety of the people of Vanxim so that people live without fear of loosing their land and dwelling place.

Thank you,

Yours sincerely,
        Sd/-
Maggie Silveira
(President – Goa Unit)
Copy to: - (1) The President and Members of Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India (CBCI).

                  (2) The Priests, (3) Religious (4) Laity