The Church in Goa on Monday expressed regret over a recent “hate-speech” by a Catholic priest, a video of which had gone viral on social media leading to a complaint by the BJP to Election Commission(EC).
“The concerned priest, in this case, has been cautioned to refrain from making such statements. We sincerely regret any pain or hurt that these statements may have caused,” said the statement which was issued late on Monday by the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, the communications wing of the Church.
The speech, in an unidentified church, not only criticised BJP’s national president Amit Shah but also mentioned unpleasant things about late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Monday’s statement said that before Assembly or Parliament elections, the Church in Goa issues guidelines to its priests, to encourage parishioners to vote and that the general principles are also given on what to look for in the candidates and in their manifestos.
“While doing so, priests are advised not to mention in public any names of candidates or of political parties. It is a matter of regret that, nonetheless, there are a few instances when this particular advice is not followed,” the statement said.