Basilica Church to install signboards for dress code
PTI, PANAJI | 26 May 2012 19:33 IST
Basilica de Bom Jesus, the most visited church in Goa which contains the relics of St Francis Xavier, has decided to install sign-boards requesting visitors to wear decent clothes.
Fr Savio Barretto, rector of the basilica, told PTI that the church management had a meeting with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday.
The meeting decided to install signboards requesting visitors to dress properly rather than imposing ban on scantily-clad guests.
The parishioner of the church had objected to the "inappropriately" dressed tourists, who usually come during the masses and there were suggestions that such tourists should not be allowed to visit the church.
Barretto said that imposing ban on scantily-clad tourists might offend them.
"First, we will install the sign-board and see," he said adding that Church would be careful in using the right words on the sign-board so that the tourists are not hurt.
The Church authorities, for now, have appointed few staffers who would check whether tourists are properly dressed.
"We dont object to them right now," he said.
Two temples in Goa, Shree Manguesh temple (Mangueshi) and Mahalsa Narayani Temple (Mardol) were the first ones in the state to impose dress code.
Just putting sign-boards is not enough. Do the church authorities feel that the tourist carry extra pair of clothes while visiting Old Goa Churches ? Or do they feel that the same tourist are going to come again on the next day to see the church. The right action should be the Tour operators should instruct the tourists before they start the tour about the restriction and secondly all the brochures printed by the tourism department should carry the advisory .
Better late than never, however, it is interesting as to why Fr. Savio feels a ban would offend the tourists. It would never be the same sentiment if it was in their respective country. Not only should the authorities ban scanty clothing, it should also stop visitors from wearing hats and caps while entering such a sacred space and be very rigid with regard to the cacaphony that goes on when there are plenty of tourists inside. It should be emphasized that it is a place of worship which is being visited, and not a palce of sight seeing. But alas !! man is a social animal and would do anything for money. I wonder if the authorities are really worried about the tourists beeing insulted or is the money that may be lost in the bargain?
GOD HELP US!!!!!!
We beleive Catholic Church in Goa. teach to their
community good lessons and the community keep
their faith and trust to churches. It is amazing the facts
and true church and its head used their law and order
its own ways prior to its legal entity to appy any desire
task. Such things keep on going people of the faith will
never ever follow church rules thereafter. The head of
the religion such as Bishop must correct wrong doing
by church othewise law will take its owns course in
future. The church teach to the follower good lesson
and good ways but certainly not,. Church teach wrong
ways to their childrens.The Bishop have to check
salcete churches their activities how they solemnize
marriages without consulting their parents and
wihthout marriage banns it is legal way and the way
church teaching then like tom and jerry cartoon, the
value of the marraige and no respect of the church.
So better check these activities and church book
specially verna-church marriage registar book.
Failing the church authority will be in trouble in legal
point of it and community will no faith on church.