Dear Teotonio, I appreciate your response. My point is strictly to do with the priests in Mumbai, in the recent past (not the entire discretion of priests, as a collective, but certainly a part of the mass of priests) changing names or shortening them; and not about individuals changing or shortening their names on other accounts. Needless to say, your points in the latter contexts -- about individuals getting creative with their names cannot be questioned.
The accusation on my part which I do not deny, is mine and mine alone. My respect for priests was also noted in my earlier post. As time goes by, I am beginning to learn that one may, and perhaps, must only point out concerns and excesses in a simple manner -- not state directly or even inadvertently allude to ideologies or patriotisms. In giving such advice you cannot be faulted, and again I appreciate it. Hopefully someday, someone will find it of minor interest to do a small paper on these notions. Venantius From: "Teotonio R. de Souza" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [Goanet] Altering names / Portuguese citizenship > > Dear Venantius et al > > One need not search for > ideologies or patriotisms, or blame priests of Bombay! Before the > independence of India, many Goans sought to pass off as Anglo-Indians. That > was a door to enter the railway job, post offices, etc. Hence, Dias became > Days, Lobo became Lobow, Coutinho became Coutts, etc. > > >