Even as molestation charges levelled against a priest in Ribander continue to raise a political storm here, Archbishop of Goa Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao has been urged to order an independent inquiry into similar incidents of ‘‘sexual impropriety’’ reported from other churches.
Social activist Aires Rodrigues says since the Ribandar episode came to light, he has received numerous complaints from parishioners across Goa, alleging ‘‘misconduct’’ by priests.
The Ribander episode has also led to a clear divide. While the priest’s supporters, mostly women, took out a rally in Panjim and submitted a memorandum to the CM on Sunday, villagers have called a bandh on August 30 to express their solidarity with the victim.
The victim’s supporters have urged the Bishop to intiate action against priests facing similar charges. The bandh has been called to protest the failure of the Goa police to take speedy action against Ribandar parish priest, Fr. Newton Rodrigues who is charged with molesting a minor girl.
Aires Rodrigues said it was up to the Archbishop to take a closer look at the track record of clergymen who have allegedly broken the oath of celibacy. He urged immediate action against the Ribander priest to prove that nobody is above the law.