ORIGINAL LETTER SENT TO EDITOR
GREG R PEREIRA
A7 Rodrigues Compound, Malwani Village, Marve Rd.
Malad (W), Mumbai – 400095;
Contact: Cell: 9870719628; E Mail: pereiragreg@ymail.com
To,
The Editor,
The Examiner,
SAVE OUR CROSSES
Sir – BMC has begun pasting notices on HOLY CROSSES in the City, inviting documents, to prove their legality. This is the repeat of the same process, which was undertaken in 2011 and before, by BMC. It is well known that HOLY CROSSES, Symbol of our Faith, are more than Century old and they don’t need any evidence to prove that they are LEGAL.
However, due to changed circumstances, if necessary, we must come forward to SAVE OUR CROSSES. Community members are agitated because, in spite of providing necessary evidence, in some cases more than once, BMC is repeatedly pasting notices and inviting evidence. This is happening, just because people have acted individually, case by case and forgotten about it. To tackle this menace, collective action is needed. We therefore, suggest the following.
We agree that these HOLY CROSSES being more than a century old, it is difficult to find documents. However, try to obtain a Property TIKA Sheet which shows plot nos. of around one square KM area, along with structures standing on it, if they are prior to 1960; from concern City Survey Office. This is good enough evidence to prove existence of the Cross. In case of HOLY CROSS, it will marked as + or something similar. Take a Xerox of the area on TIKA sheet and submit to BMC office and get the acknowledgement.
We suggest, after completing this exercise, share the information with persons willing to store it at central location and can make it available as and when required. I have taken upon myself, the responsibility of Crosses coming under jurisdiction of St. Anthony’s Church; Malwani. Once all the CROSSES are secured, further steps can be taken collectively to inform the Court/BMC authority about it to amend their records in order to resolve this issue once and for all.
DELETED PARAS
It is sad that Archdiocesan authorities have abdicated their responsibility vis a vis Crosses lining the streets of Mumbai. Cardinal Oswald Gracias expressed his inability to do so, over phone, citing certain reasons, in response to my letter. We the Lay Catholics, have to take onus on us to save these HOLY CROSSES and in turn, Save Christian Character of the CITY of Mumbai.
However, we expect Archdiocesan authorities, at least, to instruct Parishes, to make an announcement, repeatedly, to educate masses in order to galvanize them into action.
GREG R. PEREIRA
EDITED LETTER PUBLISHED IN THE EXAMINER….
SAVE OUR CROSSES
Sir – BMC has begun pasting notices on HOLY CROSSES in the City, inviting documents, to prove their legality. This is the repeat of the same process, which was undertaken in 2011 and before, by BMC. It is well known that HOLY CROSSES, Symbol of our Faith, are more than Century old and they don’t need any evidence to prove that they are LEGAL.
However, due to changed circumstances, if necessary, we must come forward to SAVE OUR CROSSES. Community members are agitated because, in spite of providing necessary evidence, in some cases more than once, BMC is repeatedly pasting notices and inviting evidence. This is happening, just because people have acted individually, case by case and forgotten about it. To tackle this menace, collective action is needed. We therefore, suggest the following.
We agree that these HOLY CROSSES being more than a century old, it is difficult to find documents. However, try to obtain a Property TIKA Sheet which shows plot nos. of around one square KM area, along with structures standing on it, if they are prior to 1960; from concern City Survey Office. This is good enough evidence to prove existence of the Cross. In case of HOLY CROSS, it will marked as + or something similar. Take a Xerox of the area on TIKA sheet and submit to BMC office and get the acknowledgement.
We suggest, after completing this exercise, share the information with persons willing to store it at central location and can make it available as and when required. I have taken upon myself, the responsibility of Crosses coming under jurisdiction of St. Anthony’s Church; Malwani. Once all the CROSSES are secured, further steps can be taken collectively to inform the Court/BMC authority about it to amend their records in order to resolve this issue once and for all.
GREG R. PEREIRA
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