“Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao’s annual letter quoted out of context”, says secretary

On what seems to be a case misquoted text, the annual letter from the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has come under the scanner on account of having interfered in political affairs causing a rift within the secular country, whilst also being in accordance with a letter issued by the Archbishop of Delhi, Anil Couto.

The annual pastoral letter 2018-19 released by Fr. Ferrao, his 15th, at the Church of Our Lady Mother of the Poor, Tilamola, on Sunday said, “Human rights are under attack and democracy appears to be in peril. Minorities fear for their safety as respect for law is on decline.”
“In recent times, we see a new trend emerging in our country, a kind of mono-culturalism, which demands uniformity in what and how one eats, dresses, lives and even worships; all this puts human rights at risk,” the 10-page letter circulated on Monday said.

It was addressed to “priests, religious, lay faithful and people of goodwill in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman” which among other things stated that the Constitution is under threat.

“In this context, particularly as the General Elections are fast approaching, we must strive to know our Constitution better and work harder to protect it,” the letter stated.
“At the time of elections, the candidates confuse the minds of many people by making false promises. And the people, on their part, often sell their precious vote for selfish, petty gain,” the letter further states.
It goes, on to add, “Today, our Constitution is in danger, reason why most of the people live in insecurity. Having this concern in mind, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has recently declared in its Plenary Assembly that the Church in India should diligently promote and stand by values like secularism, freedom of speech and freedom to practise one’s religion enshrined in the Indian Constitution.”

Our Constitution is in danger, it's a reason why most of people live in insecurity. Particularly as general elections are fast approaching,we must strive to know our Constitution better & work harder to protect it:Filipe Neri Ferrao,Goa's Archbishop in pastoral letter for 2018-19 pic.twitter.com/3Rt1hwHsCn

— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2018

While the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman maintains that the quote was taken out of context and has no connection with Archbishop Anil Couto’s letter, Fr. Joaquim Loiola Pereira said to the press on Tuesday, “The pastoral letter comprises 15 pages and its central theme is various forms of poverty. It is issued evey June and has nothing to do with democracy or the elections.”
“One portion has been taken out of context. This has nothing to do with Archbishop Anil Couto’s letter and it’s not a concerned or premeditated effort of all Archbishops. It is an annual letter,” Pereira added.

This letter has arrived days after Delhi Archbishop’s statement on ‘turbulent political atmosphere’ in India and thus, the media cannot help but speculate about the counfounding similarities in their mindsets.