Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

Some 400 people rallied in the Goan capital of Panaji to condemn the Portuguese conquest. A Hindu-based “patriotic citizens” group in Goa has sought local archbishop’s support to condemn Portuguese, who ruled the western Indian state for 451 years. It was the 500th anniversary of Portuguese conquest of Goa. They carried placards and shouted slogans condemning imperialism. A memorandum from the group urged Archbishop Felip Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman to condemn Portuguese rule.

“Your support even by way of a simple pressnote or by your august presence at the rally will lend much needed boost to our campaign,” the memorandum told the prelate. The memorandum says Nov. 25 reminded Goans about the beginning of “one of the most brutal and barbaric” periods in their history. It was an “era of dictatorship, forced religious conversions, slavery, destruction of temples, and exploitation.”

It denounced those who associate with the Portuguese and some institutions that try to celebrate the day. The marchers burned an effigy of Afonso de Albuquerque, who led the conquest of Goa, and resolved to rename all Portuguese road names. The group will also campaign for the closure of the Portuguese consulate in the state and halt attempts to glorify Portuguese rule through cultural and business ties with the small European nation.

Father Francis Caldeira, archdiocesan spokesperson, said although he shared “the painful sentiments” about the colonial era, the Church does not want to be drawn into the controversy. “While Catholics too suffered under the colonial rule, we must reiterate that we do enjoy the fruits of freedom and we are proud of being Indians,” he said.

US Institute Withdraws Controversial Video After Protests

The US Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has pulled the video, "A Fire in My Belly," that the Catholic League objected to earlier today; it shows large ants eating away at Jesus on a crucifix. Commenting on this development is Catholic League president Bill Donohue - Our immediate concerns have been relieved, though it is a sad commentary on the judgment exercised by Smithsonian officials that it took a pressure group like the Catholic League to send them a wake-up call. Quite frankly, had common decency prevailed from the beginning, they would never have insulted Christians with this vile display.

The larger issue is still on the table: why should the federal government underwrite an institution that uses money to bash Christians, when it is unconstitutional for the federal government to underwrite the promotion of it? That is why the letter I sent today to the members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees stands—they need to reconsider the propriety of funding the Smithsonian Institution.

One more thing. To say that it was the artist’s intention to show the suffering of AIDS victims—and not to offend Christians—is unpersuasive. Let them next invite an artist to put their bugs on an image of Muhammad and then explain to Muslims that they never meant to offend them.