To the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful in this Archdiocese
Subject: Campaign of Prayer and Penance in the Month of October
Dearly Beloved,
Millions of our fellow citizens continue to be in the grip of untold anxiety
and suffering in the wake of natural as well as man-made disasters, which
have hit them in the recent weeks. On the one hand, it is the floods in
Bihar and Orissa, which have made the greatest number of victims and caused
many deaths. On the other, it is the terrible and senseless atrocities that
tens of thousands of peace-loving and law-abiding citizens in a number of
States are being subjected to in the name of religion; and lastly, it is the
condemnable terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in a few cities across
our nation.
All these calamities and vicious attacks on human persons and property have
caused a great affliction and no less shame to our beloved country and to
us, its citizens. While our hearts go out to the millions of fellow-Indians
whose lives have been devastated by these events, we need to mourn for our
motherland, whose world image as one of the most admired democracies is
being irreparably damaged by a few, but powerful, anti-social and
fundamentalist outfits.
The month of October is traditionally dedicated to prayer and penance by
Catholics around the world, in conformity with the desires of the Mother of
Jesus, the Lady of the Rosary. It is a month during which Catholic Goans
gather in their families, neighbourhoods and parishes to pray the Rosary,
with greater devotion, for the various needs of the Church, of the country
and of the world at large.
I earnestly appeal to my beloved Brother Priests, Religious and members of
the Laity of this Archdiocese to dedicate this month to intensified prayer
and sacrifice for our beloved country, particularly for the following
intentions:
- that those countless sisters and brothers of ours who have been rendered
homeless and those who have had to go into hiding to escape relentless
persecution may soon receive effective help from their governments to find a
secure place to stay and to begin their lives anew;
- that government authorities may ensure that order is restored in the
affected areas and adequate compensation is given to those who have lost
their houses, institutions and places of worship for no crime of theirs and
that more stringent action is taken against all kinds of anti-social and
anti-religious activities that violate basic human rights;
- that leaders, civil and religious, and all people of good will may strive
to promote, at all costs, a society of justice, peace and harmony in our
land;
- that the promoters of all communal hatred and uncalled-for acts of
terrorism may be enlightened to desist from their operations that only
jeopardize the long-term interests and fair image of our country and be led
to adopt a constructive role in the building of our great nation.
May this campaign of prayer and penance also help each one of us to grow in
our commitment to the Lord and to His Church as well as in the spirit of
forgiveness and love, so characteristically proclaimed in the Gospel we
profess. May our penance also bear fruit in our generosity in contributing
towards the rehabilitation of the countless victims, knowing well that all
the help we send will not be enough. Caritas-Goa has already issued a call
to contribute towards those affected by the Orissa riots and is receiving an
encouraging response from you. I would like to issue hereby a new and
separate call for generous contributions towards the rehabilitation of the
flood victims in Bihar and Orissa. A drop in the ocean it may be, but the
Church in Goa cannot remain indifferent to the plight of these helpless
multitudes. Contributions may be sent by Cheque or Demand Draft in favour of
"Caritas-Goa, S.B. Acc. No. 18046," with special mention of "flood victims."
Such contributions will also be received in cash at Caritas-Goa, Institute
Piedade, Near Hotel Mandovi, Panjim.
We request our Parish Priests and Chaplains to convey the contents of this
Circular to other Church institutions and Religious houses as well as the
faithful in their respective parishes and we invoke upon everyone God's
abundant blessings, through the powerful intercession of Mary, the Mother of
Jesus and of the Church.
Archbishop's House, Panjim, Goa, September 29, 2008.
Sd/-
( + Filipe Neri Ferrão)
Archbishop of Goa and Daman
