Minister for Archives and Archaeology, Vijai Sardesai conducted a review meeting at Our Lady of Health Church at Sancoale. The Church will be the venue for the novenas and feast of Goa’s only Saint, St. Joseph Vaz. The novenas begin from 7th January, 2019 and the feast will be observed on 16th January, 2019. The Church is an archaeological monument maintained by the Department of Archives and Archaeology. The inspection of the premises and vicinity was conducted by the Minister with the officials of the church and the officials of the District Administration, Police, Traffic Police, Electricity Department, Water Resource Department, Public Works Deaprtment and Archives Department in the presence of the local Parish Priest, Fr. Luis Alvarez, Rector of St. Joseph Vaz Sanctuary, Fr. Manuel Vaz, Diocesan representatives, Financial Administrator and Procurator, Fr. Noel D’Costa, Executive Secretary of the Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat, Fr. Anthony Fernandes and Ex-Financial Administrator, Fr. Valerian Vaz.
The Minister speaking to the media said it was Government’s duty to facilitate the novenas and the feast of Goa’s only Saint, St. Joseph Vaz. He said that the Church authorities have informed that some vested interests are trying to interfere with the peaceful celebration of the feast and attempting to communalize the issue. Sardesai said that shifting of the feast venue was the sole right and prerogative of the Church/Diocesan authority headed by the Archbishop and the government has no business and intention to interfere in the same. Vijai added that even though the monument is maintained by the Archives and Archaeology Department, the same is owned by the Church. The Minister on behalf of the Government assured total help and support in conducting novenas and feast smoothly and peacefully and gave necessary instructions to the officials.
