The Archdiocese has stated that come June 2006 the 18 million rupee project of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman --- "BIBLE in KONKNNI" (Roman script) the "official language of Goa " will be available on sale. Advance print order for the 2300 page hardbound cover will cost just Rs.150/- instead of Rs 300/- otherwise.
Better late than never considering the following a) first printing press in Asia 1556 with Roman script b) post 1965 use of Konknni in the Archdiocese began c) in 1920 Psalms were first translated in Konknni d) in 1974 the New Testament was completed. But Konknni in DEVANAGARI script as recognised by the Official Language Act 1987 is the "official" language of Goa NOT Konknni in ROMAN SCRIPT. a) Strangely the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has accepted in 1989-90 Konknni in Devanagari script in all the diocesan run educational institutions. b) Some Roman Catholic priests of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman have made a representation to the Goa Government in February, 2006 NOT to grant official recognition for Konknni in Roman script. This was confirmed telephonically to this writer by Indian National Congress MLA Calangute , Mr Agnelo Fernandes and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Mapusa, Mr Francisco D Souza. c)The same priests have prevented the Parishes in Goa from carrying out the signature campaign which was underway and was recieving tremendous response(45,000 signatures were obtained) to petition, the President of India, demanding the need to recognise Konknni in Roman script as well. Why then this hypocritical act of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman in supporting ONLY konknni in Devanagari in schools on the one hand and publishing the BIBLE IN KONKNNI ROMAN SCRIPT??? Does the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman wittingly or unwittingly admit clandestinely that 29.67% of the population of Goa which constitutes the Catholis in Goa read Konknni in Roman script but yet under POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF SOME pro "ONLY KONKNNI IN DEVANAGARI SCRIPT protoganists " they are adhering to Konknni in Devanagari script for the schools? Will the Church clarify, its DUAL ATTITUDE towards the KONKNNI LANGUAGE? or are they PRISONERS OF THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE? GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA [EMAIL PROTECTED] 9822158584 Send instant messages to your online friends http://in.messenger.yahoo.com _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)