Corjuem chapel is celebrating 150 years and so a committee was elected in June 04 to celebrate and do repair refurbish the existing chapel and build a new residence for Parish priest. A general body meeting was held, committee elected, letters sent out by committee to Corjuemcars residing overseas to contribute. ( a bank account was opened MDDC 150 years celebration) The appeal letter said that the chapel will be extended sideways without any structural changes. A copy of plan for sideways extension was put on Chapel notice board which was accepted by the people. The Archdiocese of Goa did not approve the extension of the chapel sideways but approved : front fa�ade to move 8 meters in front.(the permit letter does not say so) This decision of Archdiocese was communicated on 24th eve midnight mass and Sunday after that. The committee should have called a General body meeting and communicated this decision of Archdiocese and taken peopl's view if they approve change in plan. The chaplin Fr Lawrence Fernandes (appointed by Diocese just 05/11/2004, after Fr Francis Rozario a Franciscan priest was transferred by Diocese) communicated this order to the congregation as an order from Bishop to demolish old fa�ade an build new one as 50% of the funds have been collected. On January 3rd the workers started to dig front portion of chapel compound to extend. Some 150 years committee members demanded a meeting to be held to voice their opinion, but after several no's from Secretary and Chaplin a meeting was held on Jan 5th. As the meeting was in progress a group of villagers gathered outside and submitted a memorandum to Chaplin saying Church extension should not be done by breaking front fa�ade and 150yrs committee should get advise from experts to find an alternate solution to make space inside.. The catholic population has not increased (on the contrary many catholic families have joined other faiths like believers) and does not warrant for extension in front which will destroy our historical importance of the front fa�ade . The only occasion chapel is full for 3 days in year namely, Christmas, New Year, Feast Day, for this we can have service in front compound with pandal which can accommodate more than thousand. Chaplin told concerned people that he will reply to the letter after Sunday for which the crowd said it would be late and destruction will be done by then. All villagers went to Chaplin and committee to get an answer. When questioned to why he did not call a general body meeting and take people views Chaplin replied quote " As per diocese constitution he is not supposed to call for a general body meeting, he has Bishops order and that everyone should follow." unquote when pressed for a reply to memorandum submitted to Chaplin said at 7.00am mass next day(Thursday). The villagers pressed on him not to mix Holy Eucharist with this controversy and give us time when he would reply. He was reluctant to give time, as he wanted to talk with Bishop finally agreed for 6.00pm(Thursday).In the mean time villagers requested the breaking of compound should stop immediately. On Thursday morning 7.00 am mass Chaplin cautioned villagers should not disobey the bishop orders or else the diocese will not send any more priest. He also announced that there are two files made one for people who want the extension and other for people who oppose extension to sign. This will be kept in front of statue of our lady any disobedience to bishops orders disobeys Our Lady of Mae De Deus (emotional pressure). At 6.00pm some people went inside to wish Chaplin Good Evening for which He retorted :you have come ! come sign here showing the files.( attitude problem) As other concerned villagers arrived sankistao ran to toll the chapel bells as if people have come to attack chaplin and big chaos, with committee members and others leaving the issue started personal attacks. After all this when questioned why he or the committee did not call for a General meeting to inform the people his answer was the same " I am not suppose to call for any meeting I have orders from the bishop" I only report to bishop" There are three committee members( Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Adviser from five who are against demolition of the fa�ade they have been asked to resign) The treasurer reported that as of today an expense or Rs 1,52045. has taken place. Chaplin shut him up not to disclose the expense without his orders. As per Chaplin he has dissolved the 150 years Celebration Committee and only Fabrica is responsible for all affairs of the chapel. There are lot of people who fear that there will be no chaplin and have signed file for extension. The villagers who are opposed to extension refused to sign the file as there are not details to fill like Name, House number and vaddo. It is alleged that some of signature belongs to students from X1 and X11. At the present work has stopped but there are homilys delivered every day that " Amcho Bisp ani Povitr Sobak ami man diunk zai ani tache urtram pormonnem chollonk zai" ani Tanen amcam pavol marpak sangla tem am fuddem soronk zai.Hangasor bhaile log eun amcan sagtat tem aickonk favona. Hangasor discussion korun kaim faido nam Etc. Can anyone answer this question from episode Is the church not made of the people and the Parish priest is to serve his congregation.? Why are parish priest spreading the word that if Diocese priest are not there then the Church will close down ? Do we not have any orders like Franciscan , Salesian etc, Who also serve congregations ? Why is Chaplin not following the permission granted by Bishop house not to do structural changes for front fa�ade letter dated 21/12/2004 ? The Villagers will be respected and especially when destroying monuments of sentimental value and historical importance. Why is Secretary one of committee with Chaplin trying to impose destruction of Fa�ade as Bishop's order? Why did Chaplin not opt out and leave issue to be settled by people as he has joined just two months back ? Why does Goan priest take succour of Holy altar and address social issues during mass and not outside the Church ? After the first Catholic Church Synod held in Goa it was agreed: that Church should be more open to people and take peoples views in consideration, looks like this recommendation is not communicated to parishes to be implemented. How can a celebration committee elected by people be dissolved by Chaplin and Fabrica take over without informing villagers ? When will the church authorities stop meddling projects which have high financial value? Should the people of the village not decide what type of place they are comfortable to pray in? As for Holy Eucharist, spirituality, teachings of Catholic Church , Catechism of Church is concerned Bishop's authority should be final and obeyed by all Catholics. Lord forgive them for they know not what they are doing!!. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Give underprivileged students the materials they need to learn. 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