Priest hits campaign trail
The clergyman said the state’s environmental and social crises drew him into the electoral process.
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Father Bismarque Dias, who is contesting the March 3 Goa assembly elections, is using social networking sites and a unique “kindness manifesto” to garner support.
The 47-year-old's manifesto apologises “on behalf of all the adults of the world for our wrongdoings to all the precious children and our beautiful home, earth.”
“When you were hungry, instead of organic food, we gave you junk food. When you were thirsty, instead of water, we gave you Coke and destroyed your health,” the manifesto further reads.
The priest who sees himself as a social activist “serving God through serving the people” said the state’s environmental and social crises were compelling enough reasons to draw him into the electoral process.
On his Facebook page, the priest has got dozens of posts supporting his move to contest the elections.
“Great to see you contesting… I’m sure victory for you is not far away,” said one of the supporters on his page.
While another supporter goads him to keep going because “you are the savior of Goa.”
Fr Dias first hit the headlines when he decided to defy Church law to contest the election in Goa.
Canon law does not allow a Catholic priest to directly participate in the political process.
His decision has put the Church in a bind. After threatening to suspend him if he went ahead with his campaign, the Blessed Sacrament Fathers — the religious order Dias belongs to — have reined in their horses.
One of the reasons is probably the high sympathy factor riding in the priest’s favor.
“His decision to contest has given me hope that all is not lost for Goa,” said Panjim resident Luis Dias.
Backed by the Zagrut Goenkarancho Ekvott (ZGE), a forum of socio-political organisations, the priest faces a stiff contest from former Congress minister Pandurang Madkaikar and former minister Nirmala Sawant, who is supported by the BJP-MGP combine, for the Cumbarjua seat
Source:Deccan Herald
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