Dr. Jose Colaco wrote Having read the repeated posts from Aires Rodrigues on the issue of the Priest from Ribandar Goa who is accused of having molested a Young girl during what was supposed to be a Confession, I'd say the following:
1. Aires (a lawyer) has already Tried and Crucified this priest in the court of Internet. Does the principle of Innocent unless proven guilty apply in India? 2. The Goa Church has kept awfully quiet in this matter. When will it speak up, and protect this priest from the Aires attacks, or hold an investigation and do the needful. -------------------- Dear Dr. Colaco, I have neither tried or crucified the priest. I have merely religiously updated fellow netters of the progress and developments of the Ribandar Church molestation case as it has progressed and at times regressed. Ribandar Parish Priest Fr. Newton Rodrigues against whom the Goa Police have registered an F.I.R for the offence of molestation continues to be just an accused and will remain so until if and when his trial commences. With the victim and the mother now after three months of the complaint having tried to make a volte- face and withdraw their complaint against the Priest, the turf seems all the more murkier. A replay of the Best Bakery trial and Zaheera may be on the cards. Under all Indian laws the prosecution has to prove that the accused is guilty but in the Goa Children's Act under which this case comes as the victim is a minor girl, it is for the accused to prove that he has not committed the alleged crime. Yes the Church has kept awfully quiet on this issue. Perhaps they are staunch believers of the saying " silence is golden". I personally met the the Archibishop Rev. Felipe Neri Ferrao on August 12th last year and at his request gave him a written complaint about the affairs at the Ribandar Church. Not a word in reply. That's my only consolation that there may be substance in the complaint. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar