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Vol No CIX No: 101
My Kingdom is not of this Earth
Goa, Saturday 11 April, 2009 The Eastern church has always prized the role of the Holy Spirit in the governance of the church, says TEOTONIO R DE SOUZA
Firmans T
he Papal States, also known as States of the in Iraq) and were merely the pastoral leaders of the com-
Church or Pontifical States, in central Italy, with munity. The temporal jurisdiction lay with native
nearly two and half million subjects, were till faithful, under the leadership of an archdeacon. Lack
from afar 1871 under the direct temporal rule of the Pope. The
Popes had become de facto rulers of the city of Rome
and the surrounding area by the 6th century AD. This
of such separation of spiritual and temporal powers
continues to be the bane of the Rome-inspired and
ruled church that we have inherited from the Portu-
I
n the old days (notice the conspicuous omission of the prefix good territory was formally granted to Pope Stephen II by guese.
Pepin the Short, king of the Franks, in 754 AD. Let us not forget that more than the Latin church of
from that well-worn expression), the Moghul Emperors of India ruled Additions were made by gifts, purchases and con- Rome, which the Portuguese sought to implant in Goa
vast swathes of the subcontinent from their capital, first in Agra and quests, and even by forging the so-called Donation of and elsewhere in their former colonial possessions and
then Delhi. They had little touch with the ground realities in the far- Constantine, until the Papal States included nearly the trading-posts, the Eastern church always prized more
flung corners of their empire, but their power was absolute. It was whole of central Italy, reaching their greatest extent in and gave a central place to the role of the Holy Spirit in
enforced by the royal command, known as a firman. The problem was the 16th century. Incidentally, the 13th-century Basil- the governance of the church. It was this centrality and
that these firmans were issued from the royal court, based on ica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio lost a wall, while a faith in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than in the
submissions by courtiers, often with very little idea of the actual section of the nave collapsed in the earthquake that jurisdictional powers of the human institutions that has
situation in that distant province. took place in Italy week, with its epicentre 60 miles been the cause of rifts between the church over time in
Times have changed. Telecommunications have made the world northeast of Rome. The church, combining Roman- the West and the East.
and India a much smaller place. It is now so much easier to understand esque and Gothic architecture, played host to the If the Resurrection of Christ has taken him beyond
the actual situation before one takes a decision on anything. In the crowning of Pope Celestine V in 1294 AD. space and time, depriving the Christians of an equiva-
case of Goa which is Indias smallest state it should be even easier. The acquisitions of the papacy were for the most lent of Muslim Mecca, thereby making Christianity truly
Despite the recent vexing traffic jams on our National Highways, it takes part retained until 1797, when the French forces of universal, the West has succeeded so far in restricting
Napoleon Bonaparte seized much of the territory. In him to Rome, delaying the time announced by Jesus to
a little over two hours to traverse the entire state north to south, and 1801 Pope Pius VII regained some power, and, follow- the Samaritan woman: But the hour comes, and now
even less to do it from west to east. ing the fall of Bonaparte in 1815, the Congress of Vi- is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Fa-
However, the mentality of the rulers of issuing firmans has not enna restored nearly all the territory of the states, plac- ther in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such
changed. And so it came to pass that the Election Commission (EC), in ing them under Austrian protection. The final dissolu- to worship him. God is a spirit: and they that wor-
its wisdom, directed the Excise Department to obtain a daily stock tion of the Papal States came in 1870, when nearly all ship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
statement and daily sales log from each and every liquor shop in the the territory, including Rome, was annexed to a united (John 4: 2324).
state. In response to this harassment from election authorities, the Italy by its king, Victor Emmanuel II. The jurisdiction The Goans who usually prefer to read American or
Liquor Traders Association, which represents liquor wholesalers and of the Pope was confined to the Vatican. As a protest European historians or novelists could read, for a
retailers, has threatened to stop selling liquor. This could prove a against the Italian occupation, each succeeding Pope change, a classic work entitled As Confrarias de Goa
dampener for traditional Easter celebrations, coming up at midnight remained a voluntary prisoner until 1929, when the (1973) authored by Aldona-born Leopoldo da Rocha (he
Lateran Treaty under Mussolini recognised the full and A detail from the painting ‘Crucifixion’ (1959) by F N Souza (1924–2002) was my professor of liturgy at Rachol seminary). It was
tonight.
independent sovereignty of the Holy See in Vatican his doctoral dissertation presented to the Gregorian
The Excise Department has confirmed that it is collecting daily reports City. University in Rome. He traces, among other things about
of alcohol transactions from manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Ironically and sadly, the kicks of history not Jesus
HISTORICAL EXPLORATIONS Goan confraternities, the origin of santos passos and
But Liquor Traders Association co-convenor Mangaldas Naik says that it of History before Pilate or in his Risen state were the times of computer networking (and the Vatican is proud prisoner of a Roman style of governance with a juris- the holy hysteria they were meant to generate with
is not practical for shop owners to minutely keep daily stock statements best advisors of his vicars on earth. The eve of Easter, of managing an advanced radio-network and astro- dictional base, and as long as the financial dependence competitions between various religious orders and their
of the sale of liquor. He complains that despite this, EC officials are which Christians the world over commemorate this nomical centre), there is hardly any reason why the on the West is needed to sustain the institutional dis- respective confraternities in the old city of Goa. Inci-
demanding daily stock statements. week, could and should be a welcome moment to jurisdictional centre of the Catholic church needs to play of the universal church, we may have a long time dentally, Leopoldo Rocha has very recently departed
Mr Naik says that the authorities have issued notices even to those reflect on these deflections that have pained more be in Rome. The place where Peter died is more im- to wait. Had Jesus been of Hindu culture, he could at from the traditional genre of scholarship and produced
who do maintain daily stock statements. The association is sore that than saved mankind. History provides a vast and open portant than the place where Jesus was born and died? least hope to be reborn. But even that has been denied an equally enthralling autobiographical novel Casa
field for the biblical enemy to sow the weed, not just God may know why, but scientists blame Italys trag- to him, and the passion plays have become a pathetic Grande, wherein he exposes much hypocrisy that he
election officials have also been harsh on liquor distilleries. The Excise
at night-time, but even in broad daylight! We shall point ic history of earth tremors on the fact that the country substitute for the reality shows. was forced to live as a priest and as a member of an
Department has confirmed that around 30 distilleries and bottling units lies directly over the Eurasian and African fault-lines, To illustrate, let us return to the Christians of St
out some that affected the Christianity of St Thomas aristocratic family in colonial Goa.
have been sealed. This, says Excise Commissioner Sandeep Jacques, is in India in the recent colonial past. where the borders of two tectonic plates move to- Thomas in Kerala. It was the Tridentine Christianity of To conclude on the high note of the festivity that will
a precautionary measure to rule out illegal manufacture of liquor, which Despite the historical denudations of the papacy, to gether and apart. This also accounts for Italys rela- Rome that the Portuguese sought to impose upon cheer many Goans this week, it is important that we
could be used for enticing voters during elections. most who do not belong to the European tradition of tively high number of active volcanoes: Etna, the larg- them through a synod at Diamper (Udayamperur), at neither disown the culture we have inherited nor throw
Liquor Traders Association Convenor Barnabe Sapeco says that Goa mixing religion and politics, even under the modern- est active volcano in Europe; Stromboli; and Vesuvius, the close of the 16th century. Though some doctrinal out the baby with the bathwater. We need to review it
is not like other places in the country. Here, liquor is not bought purely ist and veiled legal garb of the separation of the Church the only active volcano on the mainland of Europe. differences served as a pretext for interference by the critically and purge it. Is it not that which we often ask
to drink (or, as the EC suspects, to get voters drunk). Most tourists who and the State, a sovereign Vatican state with represen- While God works, we humans (more so in the distant Padroado authorities of Goa, the real and profound from the caste inheritance of the Hinduism? I cannot
visit Goa buy bottles of liquor as souvenirs of their visit, to take back tation in international forums still waits for more his- Orient of the magi) may still have hope of reaching the motive for discord was the nature of the organisation but remember our great artist Newton de Souza, who
home, just as they buy sea-shells, cashew nuts, cocum syrup, bebinca, torical kicks to convince Christs vicars on earth to Kingdom of God. that governed St Thomas Christians. Their bishops, or spent his life struggling with Christ and died with him
Goa sausage, and other unique Goan foods and beverages. comprehend his vision of the Kingdom of God. In As long as the hierarchy of the Catholic Church is a Mar as they were titled, came from Mosul (presently on the Good Friday of 2002!
That is why, he explains, even if two bus-loads of tourists stop at a
shop to buy liquor, they could buy 300 or more bottles within the span
of a 15-minute stop. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, under
the circumstances, he adds, to record all the details of these sales on
Tongue in Cheek
Teeny-Weeny Nano By Adelmo Fernandes
M
a register. A special clerk would have to be appointed for the purpose, y family owns a couple of four-wheelers and three two-wheel- Goan roads
well, not exactly, it has only hit the showroom. The teeny- Nano the right car for us.
he feels. ers. One would say those are enough wheels for a family of four. weeny car is attracting hordes of people. Some with the intention of buy- Though I am not exactly in need of one more car, I asked myself what
Not everything that the liquor traders are saying may be true. But is Sorry, make that five I forgot our dog Snoopy. But my elder son ing it, others just out of curiosity as to why Mamata Banerjee did not want is wrong in adding to my already existing fleet of cars. So I decided to
it likely that all of it is a lie? Businessmen would never wilfully deprive is away, studying in Bangalore. So that again makes us a family of four. My the car to roll out from her State and what the Gujarat Chief Minister Naren- explore the advantages of going in for a Nano besides the price, of course.
themselves of their earnings just to prove a point. Obviously, it really younger son is still a minor, my wife cannot handle a two-wheeler, leave alone dra Modi saw in the little car. Some say that a Nano is a no-no car for them. I asked the reason. Well, I
isnt possible for them to report on sales in the way the EC wants. But a four wheeler. So the only person who does all the riding and the driving is The Nano has caught the imagination of an entire nation. From a dis- am used to speeds of 100-plus and hence the Nano is surely not my cup
this does not mean that it is altogether impossible for them to cooperate yours truly. So one would say that those are a lot of vehicles for a single user. tance it looks like a toy car belonging to the baby of a giant. Probably no of tea, said a young chap who seemed to be a guy in a hurry. Nano is for
with the EC to ensure that misuse of liquor is curbed in the Lok Sabha Mind you, even the most powerful woman in India, and probably in the other car, after the good old Maruti 800 hit the road, has made heads turn my eighty-year-old nani, said another college lad. But a married man
election. entire world, Sonia Gandhi does not own a single car, nor does her son and eyes roll the way the Nano. For one, you do not need a large purse to had another view. I am going for it. Its the best car for my better half. I
Rahul, if one goes by the declarations made while filing their nominations. own the ultra small car. It can easily fit in the budget of a middle-class wont have to accompany her on shopping trips, he said.
When the EC wants to closely monitor the sale of liquor in the state So owning a couple of cars and another three bikes keeps me one step Indian who owns a two-wheeler and dreams of driving his own car. In fact, All said and done, the Nano does have advantages. Being the smallest
during the election campaign period, what prevents it from calling the ahead of all these powerful people. But then many of the politicians have owning a Nano could be considered a graduation from a two-wheeler to a car means it will require the smallest parking space, which should not be
representatives of the liquor traders especially when they have a declared that they have no cars. Does that mean that these politicians four-wheeler without feeling the pinch. As a matter of fact, with the Nano very difficult to find. It will definitely give more mileage than the bigger
functioning association for a discussion about how this can be travel by the State Transport buses and the local trains? By no means! They hitting the road, the sight of a family of five balancing precariously on a cars. Thus it will add to your monthly savings. So for me it is a yes-yes car.
effectively done, before they issue directives? An hour or two of of course travel by the official cars, run on the expense of the state exchequer. bike will be a thing of the past. Now they can travel comfortably in a Nano. My garage does have enough space for another car, especially for the little
productive talk can prevent huge amounts of strife, standoffs, loss of So whats the need of owning a car? Quite logical, if you think about me. The Nano is probably designed keeping in mind the physique of an aver- Nano. Our housemaid has already booked one. What stops me from fol-
business for the traders, loss of tax revenue for the state, and loss of You may ask why I am all of a sudden writing about cars. Well, cars have age Indian. A guy above six feet in height will probably have difficulty fit- lowing suit? Absolutely nothing!
goodwill for the EC. been in the news in recent weeks. Tatas little beauty Nano has hit the ting into the car. But then most Indians are five-footers, which makes the Nano, here I come!