A Christian forerunner... a pastor for the masses --------- OBIT: Danzil Oscar Serafio Dias
by Fr. Micael Fernandes Danzil Oscar Serafio Dias continued to be popularly known as "Father Danzil" to his very end. That is a measure of the imprint he left from 30-plus years of service to the Church in Goa, often amidst opposition from the hierarchy. He lived ahead of his time, read the future much before his contemporaries, and walked in his thoughts and actions as a forerunner who at times was mistaken for a rebel. He was born September 4, 1941 at Sarzora-Chinchinim, the famed 'Granary of Priests' in Goa. Danzil hailed from an ancestry that studded several priests. Heeding the call of priestly vocation, he offered the prime of his life in service of the Church, with an ardent hope of ushering a new relationship in society, shorn of caste and class trappings, particularly among Goa's Catholic segment. This was in line with the teachings of Christ, the Gospel values and the decisions of Vatican II. During his pastoral ministry, wherever posted as Assistant Parish Priest or Chaplain, he set to root out man made distinctions that divided the community. He naturally took the side of the underdog. Society generally resists change and Danzil's path-breaking 'activism' naturally ruffled many feathers. But the seeds sown were germinating, sprouting and taking root. In fact, they were illuminating the greenery of the Goa Archdiocese. Both clergy and lay people were attracted to Danzil's innovative ideas to create a new Church environ in the Goan scenario, in tune with Vatican II. The 451-year feudal set up in Goa felt threatened. The plants from seeds sown by Danzil were uprooted and transplanted on different ground. The Council for Social Justice & Peace was eventually established. This demonstrated that Danzil lived and thought ahead of time. He associated with different groups within the Church and in the secular domain, conceiving and articulating ideas that were ahead of the times. Both civil and ecclesiastical society realised the importance of his ideas, but only after a long period, when society was on the threshold of another socio-political relationship. Danzil dedicated his life to bring about changes in intra-Church hierarchical relations and improvement in the living conditions of Goan clergy. He strove to unite the clergy under the banner of Catholic Priests Conference of India (CPCI), an initiative that was 'hijacked' by the then local representative of the CBCI through two lieutenants -- later duly rewarded, one as seminary Rector and the other as pastoral institute Director. The path of reformation propounded by Danzil, however, was gradually implemented. He was marginalized. Ingrained with certain values, he did not raise a ruckus, but quietly went his own way. Danzil also strove to address the pathetic work conditions and insecurity of Church employees like sacristans and sextons. He was friends with trade unionists like the late George Vaz, Subhash Jorge and Christopher Fonseca. Church authorities eventually moved to improve working conditions and remuneration of its employees. On Goa's larger social scene, Danzil played a key role to bring together leaders of factions representing the backward classes, particularly Gawdas, traditional fishermen, toddy tappers and the like. As a true follower of Christ, he made himself available to the afflicted and the suffering -- whether individuals or sections of the community -- and used his considerable influence to get them succour and relief in their distress. Always a man in a hurry, a man ahead of time, and a man for others, he had little time for himself. On the morning of June 4, 2013, while in Margao and true to his trademark style, Danzil departed from our midst quite unexpectedly, quickly and without suffering, and yes -- ahead of time. I bow to the memory of a close friend and a true Christian. -- * Fr. Micael Fernandes, MA, LLB, is an archdiocesan priest, currently serving as Parish Priest at Batim, Tiswadi-Goa. He can be contacted via +91-9850 630 190 * Danzil http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/8992907059/in/photostream/ K a r a c h i Former St Joseph's Convent School principal passes away By Desiree Frances in The News, 6 June 2013 Karachi Educationist, nun and former principal of St Joseph's Convent School, Karachi, Sister Zinia Pinto, passed away here on Tuesday night. She was 84. The former mother superior of the Daughters of the Cross died at 11.20 pm. She had been ill for some time due to her age. Sister Zinia Pinto joined St Joseph's as a teacher in 1956. Teachers, former students and well wishers remember the nun fondly. Many broke out with comments on social media networks after they heard the news. Nava Zulfiqar, a former conventarian said, "She was an inspiration for all of us. I still remember when she counselled us just before our O'levels, when she asked us to write down our positives. A true angel, may you rest in peace, Sr Zinia Pinto." Meanwhile, another former alumni Mariam Sabri exclaimed, "Her many contributions to St Joseph's Convent School, Karachi made her an institution of sorts. Big loss for SJC, its alums and the Catholic community in Karachi." She will be laid to rest in Karachi after her funeral prayers, which will be offered at the St. Patrick's CAthedral in Saddar at 3.30 pm today (Thursday).