The Goa Church on May 9 said that the inclusion of its monuments in the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme will not be allowed unless it gives its No Objection Certificate (NOC). Six monuments from the state, including two churches — Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral both located in Old Goa — are listed in the scheme.
As reported by Business Standard, During the talks, representatives of the Archdiocese said the Church, being the owner of the Catholic religious sites in Old Goa, cannot be ignored or excluded from any MOUs that may be inked between the federal government and the private entities under the scheme. In a joint statement issued May 9, Goa Church spokespersons Fathers J Loiola Pereira and Valerino Vaz said that “During the meeting chaired by Sardesai it was agreed that the archdiocese, as the owner of the monuments, would give an NoC listing all the conditions, restrictions and safeguards which it might deem fit in each case. Therefore, no intervention at the selected church sites would be allowed without the consent of the diocesan authority, which would draw up this NoC after due consultation at various levels.”
The state Chief Secretary explained that the scheme envisages to enhance the cultural importance of the heritage sites and to provide world-class tourist facilities at various sites across the country, the statement said.
Source: Business Standard
