Statue of patron saint missing as chapel damaged in Goa

Three other statues were found in damaged condition in the bushes opposite the chapel.

Margao:  Miscreants vandalized and desecrated the St Joseph Chapel at Banda-Assolna in Goa as the statue of patron saint was found missing from the altar along with three other statues.

Three other statues were found in damaged condition in the bushes opposite the chapel.

The incident sent shockwaves across Salcete as it comes against the backdrop of the desecration of the grotto of St Francis Xavier at Cuncolim on Friday and the Velim cemetery cross vandalism.

The incident came to light Sept. 21 when Fabrica members entered to clean up the chapel in view of the Sunday Mass, only to find the statue of patron saint St Joseph and other statues missing.

One of the statues was found damaged in the chapel itself, while others were dumped in the bushes.

Assolna Parish Priest and Episcopal Vicar, South Fr. Lucio Dias, rushed to the chapel after being intimated of the incident by the Fabrica members and lodged a complaint with the Cuncolim police.

Parishioners poured into Banda as the shocking news travelled across Assolna and the neighbouring villages of Cuncolim, Velim and Ambelim.

Fr Dias told the media that the wooden statue of St Joseph, statue of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, a small size statue of St Joseph, besides statues of St Luis Gonzaca and St Terezinha have gone missing along with the chair meant for the priest in the church.

“When we took a round in the vicinity, we found three statues dumped in the bushes, including two in damaged condition,” he said, adding that the cupboards in the chapel were left untouched, while the tabernacle was found intact.

Superintendent of Police, South Shekhar Prabhudessai, who visited the spot, said that the miscreants effected entry into the chapel through the left door. He said the police have started investigations into the incident in right earnest and are working on the case.

Parishioners condemned the cowardly act of miscreants damaging and lifting away the statues.

Fr. Dias joined the Parishioners of St Joseph Chapel, Banda in condemning the incident as he celebrated the Holy Mass at the Chapel on Sunday morning.

In his homily, he exhorted the faithful to join in the prayers for peace.

“While we condemn the incident, let us all join hands and pray for peace and the courage in true Christian life,” he said in his homily.

Source: oheraldo.in