The Case of Xavier

©Lucio João Mascarenhas, for Goa Livre.
Statement of the Delegation of the Goa Freedom Movement


As representatives of the Goa Freedom Movement formed at the Conference of Goan elected delegates from all parts of the world, held in Paris at Palais d'Orsay on 3rd-5th December, 1963, we, Mr. Filomeno Fernandes, member of the Supreme Council of the Goa Freedom Movement and Mr. Antonio da Fonseca, Secretary-General of the same organization, are here to convey the sentiments of the People of Goa, Damao and Diu, on the delicate issue of the proposed removal of thebody of St. Xavier from Goa to Bombay.

We have come to Rome, today, because we are convinced that the Vatican plays a great role in the community of nations in the interest of peace and wellbeing of humanity. His Holiness, the Pope, has always been making fervent appeals towards this high and noble ideal.

Our oppressed Brethren in GOa have informed us that India's Valerian Cardinal Gracias has planned to move the Body of our beloved St. Francis Xavier to Bombay. We consider this an outright affront to our dignity and a gross insult to our personality, because the sacred relics are the exclusive spiritual heritage of the Goans, and the Goans alone. Our forefathers revered this Saint, our Patron, and handed Him down to us — we are mere custodians, and in obedience to their testament and reverence to their memory, we, of the present generation, wish to pass on this legacy to our children.

St. Francis Xavier is not considered just a Saint by the people of Goa, but is their special Protector, the Apostle, their Advocate before Almighty God and, as such, their priceless possession.

We are here to place bare before you the fact that at this moment Goan feelings are running very high and, we are afraid, that consequence of very serious nature will follow. We are here to beg of the Holy See to intervene in this very provocative issue and to heed the advice tendered by the Highest Ecclesiastical Authorities of Goa, who have faithfully interpreted their feelings.

Very distressing news have reached us and we are very much perturbed as Goans at this moment recollect the words of an Indian official blaspheming from an aeroplane which flew over Goa on that dark and fateful day, the 18th of December 1961: "They believe in St. Francis Xavier. He is a mummy, dry bone just as any other; he is a corpse without any living sign; he is so dead that he cannot rise to life and help you; throw him into the Mandovi River, our great leader is Nehru." The Indian defender of the Christian faith, the great Cardinal Gracias had no word of protest against this blasphemy. As usual, he stooped and carried out his Masters' wishes. He must have felt that Xavier too is a product of colonialism as, allegedly, he said of Ven. Jose. Vaz.

It pains us deeply to see that today Justice and Truth are being raped for personal gratification. It is in order to seek redress against these crimes that we have come here today.

The Goa Freedom Movement delegation is fully convinced that its appeal will not go unheeded. The Goa Freedom Movement seeks to redress through peaceful means the wrong perpetrated by the Indian Union and hopes that, not in the distant tomorrow, the light of reason will dawn on them and the rights of man to be free and his human dignity will be respected, for the defence of which, Christ Himself sacrified His life.

Issued at the Vatican City, November, 1964.

FILOMENO FERNANDESANTONIO DA FONSECA
Member of the Supreme CouncilSecretary General
of the Goa Freedom MovementGoa Freedom Movement
Caixa Postal, 4749-ZC-2117-A Mulgrave Road, Surrey,
Rio de Janeiro, GB, Brasil.England

THE CASE OF XAVIER

On the 25thof November, 1510, when Afonso de Albuquerque made his entry into Goa he was not motivated only by commerce. The Portuguese of that time were fired with missionary zeal and in their caravels sailed FAITH. Amongst the priests and prelates that trod the sacred soil of our Goa there was one Spanish priest FRANCIS XAVIER. This aristocrat of the finest flower of Spain was the image of Christ in the East. He followed in the footsteps of his Master and loved his flock. His love was reciprocated and FRANCIS XAVIER chose GOA — the Rome of the East — to be his home and resting place where through the ages hee has been reverently regarded by all and sundry as "GOENCHO SAHIB" — the Lord or Master of Goa. These two words by themselves explain everything and signify particularly the depth of veneration in which he is held.

As Lord of Goa, the Goans have always looked to him for protection and now, after the armed invasion of their Motherland by the Indian Union, they seek his protection more than ever.

THE DIABOLIC PLAN

Valerian Cardinal Gracias contrived a diabolic plan to deprive Goa of its greatest spiritual treasure. He sought the collaboration of his Auxiliary Bishop Willie Gomes and Rev. Fr. Balaguer. The stage was set to get the approval of the Vatican Authorities. When Mgr. Markinkus and Fr. Macchi arrived in Bombay to check on the plans and preparations of His Holiness' visit to Bombay, he, the Cardinal, decided to involve them; and they were taken in, we are inclined to believe in their good faith, it having been explained to them that since the Holy Father had categorically refused to visit raped Goa, Francis Xavier should be brought to Bombay. Towards this end, Valerian Cardinal Gracias, ordered cards to be printed showing His Holiness Pope Paul VI by the side of the TOMB OF OUR XAVIER. (See cover).

Accordingly, in the first week of November, 1964, Bishop Auxiliary of Bombay, Willie Gomes, accompanied by Mgr. Markinkus and Fr. Macchi visited Goa. Very significant indeed that the Ecclesiastical Authorities in Goa were kept in the dark and not even out of mere courtesy were informed by the visitors of their arrival.

But the Goans were watchful. Moments later, much to the dismay of the intruders, the Bishop Auxiliary of Goa, Mgr. Francisco da Piedade Rebello appeared on the scene and surprised the "venerable" party that was closely examining, nay, tampering with teh Tomb of Xavier. Reports from Goa add that the Tomb was virtually forced open and that during these operations a glass of the urn cracked.

Bishop Rebello courteously invited his colleagues Bishop Willie Gomes and his companions Mgr. Markinkus and Fr. Macchi to lunch. It is reported that our Bishop was treated abruptly and his invitation was declined. Bishop Willie Gomes and his party lunched at the Mandovi Hotel.

News travel fast and the Goa Freedom Movement was being kept well informed of all that was taking place.

The idea of Valerian Cardinal Gracias, fervent aspirant to the title of Patriarch of East Indies, attached to the Archdiocese of Goa, was to take advantage of the visit of His Holiness Pope Paul VI and somehow get hold of the remains of our Xavier and take them to Bombay. Once this was achieved, a major hurdle to his ambition would have been crossed.

Later he would plead that:
  1. Bombay is the Urbs Prima in Indis;
  2. He, the Cardinal, has his headquarters there;
  3. Millions of Catholics live in the Indian Union;
  4. Goa is very close to Bombay and a part of Maharashtra;
  5. With the passage of time Goans would be prone to link Xavier with Bombay and forget Goa;
  6. More foreigners visit Bombay and as such Xavier would be an added tourist attraction;
  7. Xavier in Bombay would mean a foreign exchange earner;
  8. Goans would no longer make their protest pilgrimages to Xavier;
  9. Xavier in Goa is a source of embarrassment to the occupational authorities in Goa, etc...
We are also infomed that this whole plan had the approval of Shastri's Government and the blessing of the Maharashtrian authorities to whom Gracias, of Goan ancestry, a Sindhi by birth and an Indian by ambition, has sold himself.

What Valerian Cardinal Gracias seems to have forgotten is that the Goans, Damanenses and Diuenses are a PEOPLE, that they are a powerful FORCE, that they would go to extreme sacrifices to defend the sacred remains of their SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, THEIR OWN PROTECTOR AND GUIDE. Valerian Cardinal Gracias also forgot that he had long been disowned by them as a renegade and therefore, they would pay no attention whatsoever to him. (Emphasis added: Lucio).

True to their devotion to Xavier and to their motherland, Goans the world over, having learnt of this diabolic Gracian plan, poured cables of protests into the Vatican. Some eminent sons of Goa, even from far off Canada, trunk-called their Cardinals and bishops seeking their intercession, while our decided and energetic Member of the Supreme Council, Mr. Filomeno Fernandes, published a special leaflet appealing to men of goodwill in general and Goans in particular. Mr. Fernandes also gave Press conferences in that great democratic country Brazil, to which we are greatly indebted for all the moral support we have been receiving.

Encouraged by the Goan response Mr. Filomeno Fernandes and Mr. Antonio da Fonseca, Member of the Supreme Council and Secretary General, respectively, of the Goa Freedom Movement, left for Rome and issued a Statement on the situation. (See inside cover.)

The Goa Freedom Movement Delegation was received by the Vatican State Department Authorities and had the great honour to place before them the true sentiments of the People of Goa, Damao and Dio. The Goa Freedom Movement Delegation had also to perform the unpleasant taks of explaining the gauche conduct of Valerian Cardinal Gracias and analysing his machiavellian manoeuvres in relation to Goa.

The Goa Freedom Movement is very much indebted to the Holy Father and the Vatican State Department Authorities for having considered the Goan point of view and assured the Delegation that XAVIER'S REMAINS WOULD NOT LEAVE GOA. The Vatican Authorities communicated this decision to our venerable Patriarch Dom Jose Alvernaz. We are also grateful to all the Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and other prelates who received us and gave us a sympathetic hearing.

The Goa Freedom Movement is also very grateful indeed to His Holiness Pope Paul VI, who prior to his visit to Bombay, considered the Delegation's prayer to grant a SPECIAL APOSTOLIC BLESSING to the GOA FREEDOM MOVEMENT, which was so graciously given. (See cover.)

United we will win, as we did now, for it has been proved that the protection of Xavier has never been lacking. We can rest assured that our faith in him will make him roll mountains on the enemy and crush all the evil forces that have deprived his children of their legitimate joy and happiness.

The day will soon dawn and Xavier will show up in greater force, shape and form for, though NEHRU SEIZED GOA BY FORCE, XAVIER LONG SEIZED THE GOANS WITH HIS PATERNAL LOVE.

TELEGRAMS TO H.H. POPE PAUL VI

His Holiness Pope Paul VI
Vatican, Rome.

When Your Holiness attends International Eucharistic Congress to be held Bombay, intention peace and justice we humbly beg Your Holiness to remind Indian Union that Goa Damao Diu are crying for Peace and Justice which are cruelly denied by Indian government stop beg blessings and prayers.

President Goa Freedom Movement
Kenya
Sua Santidade Papa Paulo Sexto. Vaticano

Notícias projectada remoção Bombaím Corpo S. Francisco Xavier enchem indignação desgosto Goeses todo o mundo ponto considerando não existe qualqer ligação entre relíguia e Congresso Eucarístico Goeses vêm motivos sinistros atras desta ideia emprimem Vosa Santidade seu mais veemente protesto afirmam que reliquia herança espiritual Goa donde ninguém teve coragem tirar no passado ponto e uma afronta nosso Santo é sentimentos bem conhecidos Goeses para tratar relíquia como instrumento para adquirir divisas estrangeiras visto não haver qualquer razão que obrigue santo seja exposto proxima dia sua festa fora seu lugar tradicional veneração escolhido próprio Santo ponto esperamos Vossa Santídade não consinta vosso nome seja utilizado para camuflar deplorável processo privar Goa seu mais precioso tesouro ponto.

Vice-Presidente Conselho Movimento Libertação Goa
Dr. Sirvoicar
 Lourenço Marques
Sua Santidade Papa Paulo Sexto Vaticano

Comissão Lourenço Marques Movimento Libertaçao Goa vem respeitosamente manifestar seu profundo desgosto notícia circula sobre retirada basiclica Goa corpo venerando apostolo S. Francisco Xavier ponto imploramos vossa santidade interceda tal designio não se realize.

His Holiness Pope Paul VI Vatican

Sons of Goa Damao Dio resideing Hongkong and Far East humbly crave blessing and request Your Holiness to intercede with Indian Government durng forthcoming visit to Bombay to free our beloved homeland held captive against all norms of civilization.

Your Holiness' most humble servant
Dr. Olinto de Sousa
Member Supreme Council Goa Freedom Movement
Hongkong
H.H. Pope Paul VI Vatican

Children of God and of Goa today languishing in Indian bondage lift their anguished eyes and most humbly beg Your Holiness to during visit Bombay stand fearlessly as Jesus did for human dignity and freedom priceless gifts bestowed stop recalling Your Holiness noble offer expressed encyclical Ecclesiam Suam to help contending parties reach honourable solutions Goans feel confident Your Holiness will ot fail impress on Indian government necessity vacating naked brutal aggression and cruet occupation Goa Damao Diu condemned by entire civilized world stop Goans feel Your Holiness cannot be indifferent to tragic plight Goans forced to lose their identity in ocean of Indian misery stop Goans demand their God-given right of freedom and appeal to Your Holiness to assist them in the spirit of above mentioned encyclical.

Antonio da Fonseca
Secretary General
Goa Freedom Movement
197 Earlham Gardens
London E. 7
H.H. Pope Paul VI Vatican

News of projected removal to Bombay body saint Francis Xavier fills Goans world over with indignation and disgust stop considering no connection whatsoever between relic and Eucharistic Congress Goans see sinister motive behind high handed move and express to Your Holiness their most vehement protest stop affirm relic belogs to spiritual heritage Goa whence no one dared remove it in the past and no one may remove it ever stop it is both an affront to our saint and outrage wellknown Goan sentiments to treat relic as tourist show piece or foreign exchange earner since no compelling reason can be seen to exhibit saint and his very own feast day outside traditional place of veneration chose by saint himself stop expect your holiness will not consent your name to be used to camouflage this dark move to deprive Goa of its most precious treasure.

Antonio da Fonseca
Secretary General
Goa Freedom Movement
197 Earlham Gardens
London E. 7


Sons of Goa residing United Kingdom deeply conscious Goan sentiments world over most vehemently protest over intended removal to Bombay sacred body Saint Francis Xavier from motherland Goa stop assert relic spiritual heritage Goa chosen by saint himself stop consider removal Indian tactical manouvre political purposes stop appeal to Your Holiness not to permit sinister move:

Romeo da Silva, Nelson de Sousa
 London
His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State
Vatican City

Request urgently place following message before His Holiness Pope Paul Sixth stop greatly disturbed by news of projected removal to Bombay of the sacred remains of Saint Francis Xavier we undersigned expressing the sentiments of Goans residing in the United States of America earnestly implore of your holiness to protect from disturbance remains of glorious patron from his resting place in city of Old Goa which he made his home by own choice four centuries ago stop suspect ulterior motives behind plan to be executed under cover of approval by Your Holiness stop appeal Your Holiness willnot permit this intended spoliation of the spiritual heritage of Goans and the projected destruction of the unique historical cultural and religious personality of their homeland proclaimed Rome of the Orient stop crave blessings.

Leão Lourenço and others
New York


His Eminence Papal Secretary the Vatican Rome Italy stop news of projected removal to Bombay body Saint Francis Xavier fills Goans world over with indignation and disgust stop considering no connection whatsoever between relic and Eucharistic Congress Goans see sinister motive behind high handed move and express to Your Holiess their most vehement protest stop affirm relic belongs to spiritual heritage Goa whence no one dared remove in the past and no one dare remove ever stop it is both an affront to our saint and outrage well known Goan sentiments to treat relic as tourist show piece or foreign exchange earner since no compelling reason can be seen to exhibit saint and on his very feast day outside traditional place of veneration chosen by saint himself stop expect your holiness will not consent your name to be used to camouflage this dark move to deprive Goa of its most precious treasure.

Doctor Arthur de Sousa and others
Canada
©Lucio João Mascarenhas, for Goa Livre.
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