In the News for Wrong Reasons: Sacred Heart Church, Andheri (E): III

November 26, 2014 at 9:31 pm (SILENT VOICE, VOICE MAIL)

Ever since this issue has cropped up, we have been wondering as to what could be the reason for Parish authorities to get some youth to write demeaning letters against some Parishioners, call for an emergency PPC meeting, read the letters in the meeting and humiliate them to malign their reputation. If parish authorities do not want any parishioner to be active in the parish, there are better ways to do so. But humiliating a person without giving him an opportunity to put his point forward is certainly not acceptable. Now it is being denied that any such letter exists and what was read in that emergency PPC meeting was  minutes of some Meeting.

Though matter was published in SILENT VOICE, a couple of times, we were looking for motive, which is now found. It is related to MISSING ENVELOPES of Community Contribution, which Parishioners are supposed to pay. Mr. Baptist Fernando has been question VP – PPC about it, supported by other Parishioner, whose reputation also has been maligned using the same method. VP – PPC and Parish authorities remained silent but Baptist’s persistent questioning rattled them. Besides, Parish authority’s support to VP – PPC and assurance to standby him, in case of any eventuality, certainly implies, they too could behand in glove with VP – PPC in MISSING ENVELOPES controversy.  

While on the subject of COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION, paid through envelopes, have been embroiled in controversy in few more parishes too. In some cases, envelopes are found empty while the contributor claims of putting money in it. In one of the major parish, a parishioner was questioned and reprimanded by Parish Priest for sending empty envelop. The Parishioner got furious and blew up the matter, because he has regularly been paying a good amount. Matter  then was suppressed.

This Community Contribution is also used as tool to blackmail Parishioners. when any parishioner goes to register for any Parish given facility, first question is asked of him whether he is contributing to Community Fund. Contribution is not an issue, but is the fund transparent? We do not think so, like other financial matter. Besides, for being a parishioner, does one have to pay Community Contribution? What happens if person does not have money to pay. Can’t he be Catholic? Can’t he be a Parishioner? We need to ponder on this.

Coming back to Sacred Heart Church, We have asked Archbishop to take initiative to douse this flame and put the Parish back on right path. Hope the wiser Counsel Prevails.

GREG

LETTER ADDRESSED TO ARCHBISHOP CARDINAL OSWALD GRACIAS

 VOICE OF A SILENT MAJORITY

(CATHOLICS FOR TRUTH TRANSPARENCY AND WEEDING OF CORRUPT PRACTICES AT PARISH LEVEL)

          Constituted under Para 29 of Christifideles Laici

               (Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation of H.H.Late Pope John Paul ll

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E Mail: silentvoice58@gmail.com

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(Archdiocese of Bombay)

22^nd, November, 2014

To,

Most Rev. Cardinal Oswald Gracias,

Archbishop of Bombay;

SUB:   Matter related to Sacred Heart Church, Andheri, (E)

Your Eminence

This has reference to our telecom on 19^th, November, 2014. Thank you for your valuable time. One of the matters of our discussion was related to Sacred Heart Church, Andheri (E).

After your meeting with aggrieved Parishioners, we thought the matter would have been resolved. But it does not seem to be so. Adamant attitude of Parish authorities in shielding one man, who is cause of this reigning chaos, reveals the fact that he is only the front. What could be the reason for former Parish Priest to get some youth to write letters against Other Parishioners, maligning them, who have been active in Parish for over two decades? Obviously, the Parish authorities wanted to silence them for some reason and get them out of their way.

While going through various E Mails, (We term this parish as E Mail efficient Parish, because Parish authorities are communicating with parishioners through E Mails, instead of discussing and resolving the matters across the table) ; have arrived at the conclusion that real issue is financial misappropriation. One of the aggrieved people, Mr. Baptist Fernando has been racking up the issue of missing Community Contribution envelopes, while others were in his support. This we believe is the reason for parish authorities to turn against them. Instead of investigating this on priority, they chose to remain silent.

During our discussion, you seem to be concerned about the way parish authorities chose to malign the reputation of some of their own parishioners. Surprisingly, parish authorities have conveyed to Mr. Baptist Fernando that “Archbishop Cardinal Oswald Gracias has ordered to put a stop and has sent orders to the new Parish Priest Fr. Lawrence Correa and the clergy not to take up my/our issues” – Baptist Fernando. This is the reason; we again, chose to intervene.

It is amply clear that Parish authorities are trying their best to silence the voice of dissent; Dissent for genuine cause, in the interest of Mother Church. This attitude must be stopped and it can be only done by Parish authorities by acceding to their demands of a public apology from VP – PPC for maligning their name publicly and humiliating them. Parish authorities, we are given to understand, are standing by the culprit VP – PPC and have gone to the extent of supporting him in case of Legal implications, if any. This, your Eminence, clearly implies that VP – PPC is just a front, used by parish authorities, who could be involved in missing community contribution envelopes case.

The only way to douse this fire is for you to issue instructions to parish authorities to:

• Publicly accept that letters maligning the aggrieved Parishioners were indeed read during Emergency meeting, which was called exclusively for the purpose by VP – PPC, which they now deny, and ask VP – PPC to tender a public apology for doing so.
• Ask the VP – PPC to tender his resignation from the position he holds. In case he refuses to do so, remove him. PPC is a forum of members elected by Parishioners to help Parish authorities to run Parish within framework of constitution and not to serve their self interest.
• Ask Parish authorities to be neutral in such cases and resolve them amicably, instead of shielding the arrogant ones. Failure by Authorities to do so will certainly imply that they are hand in hand in any misdeed by corrupt one.

We are sure, your Eminence, you will look into this matter seriously and help close this unsavory chapter as soon as possible.

Yours Always, in Our LORD JESUS CHRIST

 

 

 

GREG R. PEREIRA;

 

 

 

CHAIN OF E MAILS RELATED TO THIS MATTER

 

To,

Fr. Innocent Fernandes,

Respected Fr. Innocent,

Yesterday afternoon, 3^rd September 2014,  I met Fr. Wilson, in your absence, to discuss the matter related to the Missing letter, which was handed over to former Parish Priest Fr. Baptist Pais by some of the Animators belonging to my community and read in the Emergency meeting called by VP â PPC just to humiliate me.

I as a person do have sentiments like each human being including you. I am therefore seeking copy of the letter just to understand what sin I have committed for some of my animators to write a maligning letter against me. It is my right to defend myself for which I must have copy of this letter. I appreciate your efforts to douse the flame, with one sweet phrase,â Let us forgive and forgetâ. I have already conveyed to you and others that I am willing to do so. However, is it only for me to follow your instructions? What about my lost Dignity? And more importantly, why should the mischief makers be allowed to go scot free?

Now it is being said that the letter which was read was nothing but a Minutes of some meeting and there is no such letter against me. This should certainly amuse anyone who has fraction of a brain, but I think the VP â PPC does not have even that. How could anyone believe that Minutes of some unknown meeting were read in the meeting which was specifically called to discuss the letter which the Animators have written against me?

It is now established that VP â PPC had instigated some people to write a letter against parishioners, was it at behest of Fr. Baptist Pais, for the reasons best known to him.  Now that he has been cornered he is trying to find a way out. Surprisingly you, the clergy are trying to shield himâ¦Reason for him to do so is obvious.

For last one and half year, I have been raising an issue of Missing envelops (Community Contribution), but VP â PPC did not pay attention to it or never put that up on the agenda of PPC for discussion. What does that imply? You decide.

Unable to contain me, he chose this method to malign me by influencing animators of my community to write against me; or did he himself write it and putting the blame of innocent Animators? To find the truth, the letter which was read in that emergency meeting must be published.  Now that he has been cornered, he is trying to find a way out.

He has gone to the extent of ignoring the constitution of PPC. It has been noticed that the last couple of months, AOB (Any Other Business) has been missing from the agenda of PPC meetings, which is mandatory as per PPC constitution. Obviously he does not want to face uncomfortable questions, lest he be exposed.

I was surprised to hear from Fr. Wilson that Archbishop Cardinal Oswald Gracias has ordered to put a stop and has sent orders to the new Parish Priest Fr. Lawrence Correa and the clergy not to take up my/our issues, which we find hard to digest. Through copy of this letter we shall seek clarification from His Eminence because he had assured us during our meeting with him on 24^th of June 2014, that he would be handing over the matter to Fr. Harold Vaz, which so far we havenât heard about.

Sincerely yours,

Baptist Fernando

Copy to:         H. E. Cardinal Oswald Gracias

Your eminence, we are surprised to know that you have issued the orders to close the issue without letting us know about it. We certainly would have acceded to your request. But we know you would not allow injustice to happen to anyone. Therefore you assured us of handing over the matter to Fr. Harold Vaz, to investigate. We are still awaiting a call from Fr. Harold Vaz, or a closure from Your Eminence, as we are still actively involved in the parish.

Would you like us to live with a stigma throughout our life and allow the mischief monger, who is a parishioner like one of us,  to go scot free so that he can play with someone elseâs sentiments. You decide and let us know..

Baptist Fernando

PPC, Community No. 4

9769573020

 

Dear Michael Rodrigues and Members of Ex. Committee

Thank you for accepting Point No. 1 for discussion under AOB in the next PPC meeting. However, your refusal to accept point no. 2 under AOB for discussion has confirmed my suspicion that the Executive committee, together with you is involved in fabricating the letter in the names of innocent Animators to malign my reputation. Maligning someoneâs

name means to make evil, harmful, and often untrue statements about the person; and it is a criminal offence under IPC.

You have exposed your intention for maligning my reputation. The letter episode was fabricated to throttle my voice from speaking about MISSING ENVELOPS, the mess you want to brush under the carpet. Please remember, no amount of your dirty tricks will silence me.

Regards,

Baptist Fernando

PPC, Community No. 4

On Fri, 26 Sep 2014 11:27:49 +0530 Michael Rodrigues wrote

Dear Baptist,

We the Executive Committee members are in receipt of your email dt. September 20, 2014.

The same was discussed at our Ex. Committee meeting and following is our reply:

1. Only Point no. 1 (1% envelope) will be taken under AOB at the OctoberPPC meeting.
2. For the second point, please refer to our reply sent to you last month.

On behalf of the Executive Committee,

Michael Rodrigues

VP-PPC

On Saturday, 20 September 2014 12:44 PM, baptist fernando

wrote:

To

VP-PPC/PPCExec. Comm.

This is for your information about what happened at our SCC meeting held on 18th

September 2014, in the presence of our Sp. Director Fr. Wilson, the following points were discussed and an assurance was given by our Sp. Director, that the first point, would be part of the Agenda, for the October meeting. Please also refer to the mail sent on 28th August 2014, which was in reply to theSept. Agenda

sent to me.

1>1% Envelope (kindly note that this a recurring problem).

2> Our Animators are willing to meet with you VP-PPC and clarify the letter/minutes of

the meeting, which was read out at the emergency PPC meeting held on 25th October 2013.

Kindly acknowledge receipt.

Baptist Fernando

PPC Member, Comm. 4

From: “baptist fernando” <bapuvari97@rediffmail.com>To: scc.shc@gmail.comCc: innusvd@gmail.com dflavy@hotmail.com fdsouza@jetairways.com rositatony@hotmail.com rohit1701c@yahoo.comTo

The SCC Project Team,

Thanks for your concern with regard to the name of Coordinator being elected in my

Community. As you may well know that the Secretary – Mrs. Succrine Patole and the

Coordinator – Mrs. Celine Pinto both resigned from their post at the same time, inspite

of my request to continue at least for a month but refused, due to health reason, but

Mrs. Celine Pinto, found it lucrative to head the Women’s Cell by being the Coordinator

at the Parish Level. In my opinion, a parishioner serves his/her community first and

through the community serves the Parish.

Since you are heading the SCC Team and are a part of the Exec. Comm. I would appreciate if you could send her a mail, asking her why & how she had resigned ? like you have sent me. I too would like to know how she took up this post as Coordinator in the Women’s Cell.

As soon as we have a coordinator for our Community, I will let you know of the same.

Surprisingly Fr. Wilson who is our Sp. Director, and attends all our meetings, did not

pursue this.

Thank you

On Mon, 22 Sep 2014 20:34:13 +0530 SCC Project Team wrote

>Dear Baptist,

Kindly forward the name, contact number and email ID,  if the SCC Coordinator has been nominated for your community.

Thanks & Regards

SCC TeamSacred Heart ParishAndheri East

Flavy – 9819414804, Rosita – 9820634589, Rohit – 9820897047

 

Baptist Fernando

PPC, Community No. 4

 

 

Dear PPC Members,
This is with reference to the PPC meeting held on 4th September 2014, where AOB point was raised, not featuring in the Agenda since June, inspite of me sending a mail to the Exec. Comm. to include the same, as I had so many queries to clarify, Writing to the Exec. Comm. was like throwing water on duck’s back and so thought if at the PPC meeting, under AOB, I would get your attention. But it was not to be. Subsequently I have now received a mail from Jessie (Bombay Catholic Sabha Member) accusing the PPC Exec. Comm. for maligning her name at the emergency PPC meeting held on 25th October 2013, where I too was made a victim and humiliated by all PPC members present. I have made innumerous efforts asking for the copy of the letter that was read out at this emergency meeting and I have not received it yet for reasons best known.

I now stand before you, PPC members, as a victim and a criminal which the VP-PPC, is solely to be blamed, as the true picture is not told to you all besides I, just, like Jessie and many more have been maligned and are hurt, as we too are human like you. The VP-PPCâs attitude, arrogance and high handedness is unpardonable, and should step down from his post before further damage is done to the parish and parishioners. There are many issues and emails/letters written to the PPC Exec. Comm. which is not addressed to the sender or made known to you Parish Councilors.

Let us all be strong in our decision and objections where the parish activities are concerned. I do not know if you have noticed but VP-PPC repeatedly said this at least 5 times “We the Exec. Comm. Decided”. This is not the functioning of the PPC. As per the constitution, everything has to be discussed with all 34 PPC members and then go forward with the plan /activities. Remember PPC members this humiliation that I received from the Exec. Comm. Members in your presence has in many ways affected me. TODAY IT IS ME, TOMORROW IT MAY BE YOU.

Regards
Baptist Fernando
PPC – Community No.4