Summary: Jesus and Jesuits in Goa. By Peter Foster 3 Jul: The Daily Telegraph (UK). Excerpts: The crucifix is not always the focal point in Goa . at the Basilica of Bom Jesu the high altar is backed by a huge 15ft statue of St Ignatius of Loyola, covered in gold leaf and mounted high up in a golden background that rises 100ft at least from the floor of the church to the ceiling. . the thing that struck me was that I can't remember visiting a church where a saint occupied the place where most Catholic churches of that scale would hang a huge crucifix . Just who is being worshipped here? Jesus, or the Jesuits? Full text, 469 words and comments (1550 words so far) at http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/foreign/peterfoster/july06/jesusandjesuits. htm Peter Foster has been the Daily Telegraph's South Asia correspondent since January 2004. He lives in New Delhi ============================================ Full Text:
Posted by Peter Foster at 03 Jul 06 10:20 Jesus and Jesuits in Goa 3 Jul: The Telegraph Blogs. En route back to New Delhi today. Spent a lovely monsoon weekend in Goa dodging downpours and visiting some of the sights, including the magnificent Portuguese churches in 'old' Goa. The crucifix is not always the focal point in Goa Most spectacular of all is the Basilica of Bom Jesu whose high altar is backed by a huge 15ft statue of St Ignatius of Loyola, covered in gold leaf and mounted high up in a golden background that rises 100ft at least from the floor of the church to the ceiling. The church also houses the relics of St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa, who died on a sea voyage to China but whose body (now encased in glass for the faithful to see) was found to have been miraculously preserved when it was repatriated to Goa. As someone educated by Christian Benedictine monks - although now a non-believer - I was always taught to be rather suspicious of the Jesuits. I remember one monk openly disparaging them for their 'pressure-cooker spirituality'. St Benedict, by contrast, was altogether a more genial, and forgiving man as can be seen from his 'rule' which, if I remember correctly from schooldays, is predicated on the fallibility of man. As always at India's great sights there was absolutely nothing to educate an ignoramus like myself as the history of the place - the touts were selling just about everything (chai, candles to make offerings, umbrellas etc) except for a usuable guidebook. It's an age-old criticism - and one repeated this week by the popular historian William Dalrymple in Outlook magazine - but India has a terrible track record of looking after its heritage - Mughal, Portuguese, British or Hindu. But back in that stunning church, the thing that struck me was that I can't remember visiting a church where a saint occupied the place where most Catholic churches of that scale would hang a huge crucifix, graphically depicting the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I couldn't help wondering whether, as a member of the recently converted Goan congregation some four hundred years ago, I might not get confused as I cast my eyes up towards the high altar to see not a crucifix but St Ignatius of Loyola. Just who is being worshipped here? Jesus, or the Jesuits? Posted by Peter Foster at 03 Jul 06 10:20 ============================================ Join the discussion at http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/foreign/peterfoster/july06/jesusandjesuits. htm _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org