Church expects govt to sanction funds for Exposition: Fr Henry

PANAJI

Stating that the government plays a crucial role in providing infrastructural facilities for the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa, Fr Henry Falcao, Convenor of the Exposition Committee of the Archdiocese, said the Church would expect the State Government or the Central Government to sanction funds for this important event.

When contacted, Fr Falcao explained that the Church would depend on the government to provide funds for necessary infrastructural facilities to pilgrims at the Exposition.

“Millions of pilgrims from all over the world and of different faiths come to pay their respects to St Franics Xavier, loving known and honoured as “Goycho Saib”. The role of the government is crucial because infrastructural facilities are required to cater to the millions of people and which the Church can’t do,” said Fr Falcao.

“Roads, electricity, water supply, waste management, security, fire, information technology, medical services, management of parking and transport facilities, etc., are all done by the Government. The government spends to provide these facilities.”

Fr Falcao sought to clarify that the Church does not get funds from the government for the Exposition.

“Some people think that the money is given to the Church; this is wrong. Government funds are not given to the Church to spend. The Government spends to provide the required infrastructure and other facilities,” explained Fr Falcao.

“The Exposition is one of the special celebrations where the Church and the Government work together to see that pilgrims who come to Old Goa are provided with good facilities so that they go back spiritually enriched.”

Fr Falcao was then asked if the Church would be in a position to allocate its own funds for infrastructure facilities at the Exposition, should the State not receive funds from the Centre or is unable to sanction its own funds.

“The Church can’t build roads, the Church does not have the machinery needed to provide security for millions of people, the Church does not have the machinery to manage traffic, etc, etc,” said Fr Falcao.

“As I have said earlier, providing infrastructural facilities and other services is the responsibility of the State government and the government has been doing that willingly. I do not foresee a situation wherein the state government or the central government will be unable to sanction funds for such an important event,” he added.