FEBRUARY 2015

Pilar Father Fr. Peter Cardozo venerates idols of Ganesha

Psalm 95:5

For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils…

The Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible

Psalm 96:5

For all other gods are worthless idols…

(Even the syncretistic) St. Pauls 2008 New Community Bible

St. Paul’s teaching on Christians’ being “all things to all men” does not give licence to believers to participate in idol worship and pagan rituals, no matter what some liberal or modernist interpretations might say even using a sentence or two from Nostra Aetate (#2) or other Pontifical Documents in isolation from the context.
I prefer to reflect on our ‘jealous’ God’s many warnings to His Chosen People especially in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. He wanted the people of Israel to maintain not their racial purity but also their spiritual purity. He knew that any interest by the Israelites in the religious activities of the neighbouring tribes would lead to the assimilation of their rituals, practices and even adoption of their gods, and to monumental disaster to the Jewish people, and this is exactly what happened several times over.
“You will be lured into following them*.
Do not inquire regarding their gods, ‘How did these nations worship their gods? I, too, would do the same’.” Deuteronomy 12:30, New American Bible

*The New Jerusalem Bible: “Beware of being entrapped into copying them.“
Whenever that passage comes to my mind, I like to imagine that God was saying “Do not EVEN inquire regarding their gods.“

The Philippines Bishops’ Conference’s Christian Community Bible translation reads as “Do not look at their gods, saying…“
The Knox Translation, Catholic, 1955, reads “Do not hanker after their observances.“

Since God does not change and truth does not change — though the ‘father of lies’ manifests his evil designs in different disguises and through different means according to the times to deceive those people of God who are unwary — do not God’s warnings hold true even today?
INCULTURATION, INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE and ECUMENISM are good things, instruments that if used properly by the Church can witness to Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Matthew 28: 19, 20) and to herald God’s Kingdom on earth, but sadly they are being grossly abused by priests and Bishops themselves.

Fr. Peter Cardozo is a Goa-based priest of the Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier, Pilar (SFX) commonly referred as Society of Pilar or Pilar Fathers, founded on September 26, 1887 by Rev. Fr. Jose Mariano Bento Martins in Pilar, Goa. He is a priest of St. Anne’s parish, Agonda.

Source:
http://www.societyofpilar.org/about-us.php

portblaircathdiocese@gmail.com; aldasneves@gmail.com;

MOST REV. THEODORE MASCARENHAS, S.F.X., AUXILIARY BISHOP OF RANCHI

ranchiarchdiocese@gmail.com;

Is there no Faith left in the Indian Church? Is there no discernment? What are the parishioners of Fr. Peter Cardozo doing? What are the parents of the youth in his music ensemble (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHfJBZ9O1ok 4:28) doing? What are his Archbishop and superiors in the Pilar Order doing about these terrible aberrations?

http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Agonda%E2%80%99s-classically-different-Parish-priest-sings-harmony-tune-/78224.html

By TEAM HERALD, September 9, 2014

CANACONA: Visiting different private and public Ganesh idols across the State has long been an inter-religious tradition for the Christian community, but a parish group in Canacona taluka went a step ahead and actually participated in bhajans at various Sarvajanik Ganesh idols in the village.

In a unique gesture of inter-religious harmony, parishioners of Agonda shared in the joys of Ganesh festival by singing bhajans at various Sarvajanik Ganesh idols along with the Hindu community in the village.

Led by Agonda Assistant Parish Priest and music maestro Fr. Peter Cardozo, the Agonda parish troupe sang different Indian classical ragas at Dessaiwada-Agonda club hall, where a Sarvajanik Ganesh idol was venerated for 11 days.

Such was the appreciation by the Hindu community, that the troupe led by Fr. Cardozo was then invited to perform in many other Sarvajanik Ganesh idols during the last 10 days in the village.

According to sources, the St Anne’s troupe will also present a bhajan programme as part of an all religious meet in the village on September 11.

Narrating the idea behind his initiative, Fr. Cardozo said: “The people of Agonda are peace-loving and it was our cherished endeavour to share in the celebrations of Hindu festivals by our Hindu brethren in the village. In the past, we used to visit Hindu houses during Ganesh time, or for that matter during any other festivities.”

“But we were contemplating this initiative (to sing bhajans) since long to make ourselves available at (Sarvajanik) Public Ganesh venerations. The aim was to sing Bhajans to the Hindu deity, especially Ganesh idol, which is revered by Hindus with great faith, pomp and gaiety.”

“We took a month to practice some of the bhajans in Indian classical music, which is the great culture of our great country. I then asked our troupe members to join for the practice,” said Fr. Cardozo.

Fr. Cardozo, a priest of the Pilar Society, also runs a music school in the village.

Incidentally, singing bhajans is nothing new for Fr. Cardozo. During his earlier tenure at the Society’s headquarters in Pilar, Fr. Cardozo had been part of various groups visiting and singing bhajans at Hindu homes during Ganesh festivities.

Worship of idols and pagan deities in the name of interreligious dialogue and inculturation:

Catholic priests walk interreligious talk 

http://mattersindia.com/catholic-priests-walk-interreligious-talk/

By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy and Jose Kavi, September 10, 2014 

New Delhi: Catholic priests in India seem to walk the talk in interreligious dialogue in a serious way.

In Goa, a Pilar priest led his parish music troupe in singing bhajan (devotional songs) at a function to mark the birthday of Hindu Lord Ganesh.

In Kerala, a priest (Fr. Nidheesh Njanackal pic below) of Ernakulam archdiocese hoisted a saffron flag to start the celebrations associated with the birthday of Lord Krishna in a Hindu temple.

Another priest in the same Syro-Malabar archdiocese raised eyebrows when he adopted certain “Indian customs” to celebrate Onam Mass September 7. Onam, a festival rooted in Hindu religion, is celebrated by all communities in Kerala.

In a gesture of inter-religious harmony, Pilar Father Peter Cardozo, assistant parish priest of Goa’s St Anne’s parish, Agonda, and his troupe joined local Hindus to sing bhajan extolling the Hindu deity with an elephant trunk.

“The people of Agonda are peace-loving and it was our cherished endeavor to share in the celebrations of Hindu festivals by our Hindu brethren in the village,” Fr. Cardozo told Matters India Tuesday.

The young priest, a graduate in classical music, manages a music school in the village. He had earlier sung bhajans at various Hindu homes during Ganesh festivities and other festivals together with other groups.

The priest said the Hindus appreciated the different Indian ragas he and his troupe sang and invited them to perform the same in different places.

He said Hindus revere Ganesh idol “very much” and celebrate the festival with great faith, pomp and gaiety. “We wanted to join in their festivities,” he explained.

The priest also said they practiced the bhajans for month. “Bhajans in Indian Classical music is part of the great culture of our country,” he added.

At present, Father Cardozo is preparing a musical covering the life of St Francis of Assisi for the opening of Exposition of St Francis Xavier’s relics in Old Goa on November 22.

In Kerala, Fr. Nidheesh Njanackal, parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Valliara, launched the Janmashtami festival on Monday by hoisting the temple flag at Balagokulam Panavally, one of the nine places under Thaikattusserty block that celebrated Lord Krishna’s birthday.

The members of the Rashtriyaswayam Sevak Sangh, the umbrella organization of Hindu radicals, led the celebrations.

“At a time when anything and everything can become controversial how will people react to this?” asked a Facebook post.

What has already become controversial is the Onam Mass at St Joseph’s Church, Vazhakala, a suburb of Kochi. Some people have taken offense at the two priests who wore a shawl over the Mass vestments.

“We had a Mass in the Indian tradition to celebrate Mass,” said Fr. Paul Ambooken (pic below), who took the initiative to bring the liturgy relevant to local culture, responding to the Facebook criticism.

Talking to Matters India, he said they did not have a special Mass for Onam. “We had just some allowed inculturation,” he added.

Instead of being appalled by Fr. Cardozo’s paying homage to Ganesha, some Catholics are edified:

Kudos to Fr. Cardozo

http://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/People-Edit/Kudos-to-Fr-Cardozo/78432.html

By Dr. Francisco Colaco, September 13, 2014

In a unique gesture of inter-religious harmony, it was an inspiring sight to see Fr. Peter Cardozo with his Agonda parish troupe singing bhajans at the various Sarvajanik Ganesh idols along with the Hindu community. Bhajans are Hindu devotional songs with music based on classical ragas and talas expressing love for the divine. There was none more qualified than Fr. Peter, an exponent of Western music and also someone who is well-versed in Indian classical music, to show the way.

Indian classical music, just like its Western counterpart, has the rare gift to lift one’s heart and soul in unison towards the supreme being. I had a guru, Prof. Ramrao Desai, who was not only an exponent of Indian classical music but an epitome of simplicity and love, truly a man of God who cast a magic spell on his shishyas. Among our Catholic priests, the Pilar fathers, like Fr. Cardozo, are in the forefront to promote Indian classical ragas and their fusion with Western harmony. Fr. Glen D’Silva, the director of the Pilar Music School, who also taught me, is an MA in Indian classical music and has his own compositions dedicated to Jesus Christ in Indian classical style. He received much acclaim when he recited 11 verses of the Krista Purana at the XVI Bhakti Sangeet Samaroh held at the Kala Academy. Fr. D’Silva makes a strong case for the introduction of Indian classical music alongside Western harmonies during services in our Churches.

Fr. Peter Cardozo’s gesture may have its share of critics, but let’s remember that the Catholic Church reminds us that “we cannot truly call on God, the Father of all, if we refuse to treat in a brotherly way any man/woman, created as s/he is in the image of God”

Further, “the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against others or harassment of them because of their race, color, condition of life, or religion. The Church ardently implores the Christian faithful to maintain good fellowship among the nations and, to live in peace with all men/women so that we may truly be sons/daughters of the Father who is in heaven”.

Hats off to Fr. Peter! In these times when we are witnessing a vicious attempt to polarize religious communities, such little gestures will go a long way in lighting a candle that may help dispel the forces of darkness.

CARDINAL IVAN DIAS LIGHTS A LAMP FOR THE HINDU DEITY GANESHA
JULY 2011

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/CARDINAL_IVAN_DIAS_LIGHTS_A_LAMP_FOR_THE_HINDU_DEITY_GANESHA.doc

THE ST PIUS X SEMINARY CELEBRATES HINDU DEITY GANESH
9 FEBRUARY 2013

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_ST_PIUS_X_SEMINARY_CELEBRATES_HINDU_DEITY_GANESH.doc

TAMIL NADU CLERGY VENERATE THE HINDU DEITY GANESHA
22 FEBRUARY 2014

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/TAMIL_NADU_CLERGY_VENERATE_THE_HINDU_DEITY_GANESHA.doc

As we can see from the above files, worship of the elephant-God Ganesha is not confined to Fr. Peter Cardozo in Goa, but is rampant among our clergy across the nation.

PILAR SEMINARY, GOA-SYNCRETISM AND NEW AGE NOVEMBER 2006/JULY 2008/APRIL 2012

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/PILAR_SEMINARY_GOA-SYNCRETISM_AND_NEW_AGE.doc

THE HINDUISATION OF MUSIC IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
20 MAY 2013

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_HINDUISATION_OF_MUSIC_IN_THE_CATHOLIC_CHURCH.doc

FR ANTHONY DE MELLO-WRITINGS BANNED BY THE CHURCH

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/FR_ANTHONY_DE_MELLO-WRITINGS_BANNED_BY_THE_CHURCH.doc

HABEMUS PAPAM INDIANUM-WE HAVE AN INDIAN PONTIFF
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HABEMUS_PAPAM_INDIANUM-WE_HAVE_AN_INDIAN_PONTIFF.doc

HINDU FLAG POLE AT CATHEDRAL OF ST THOMAS IN MADRAS-MYLAPORE ARCHDIOCESE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/HINDU_FLAG_POLE_AT_CATHEDRAL_OF_ST_THOMAS_IN_MADRAS-MYLAPORE_ARCHDIOCESE.doc

INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE 01-POPE BENEDICT XVI

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/INTERRELIGIOUS_DIALOGUE_01-POPE_BENEDICT_XVI.doc

INCULTURATION OF THE LITURGY AND SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM-JON ANDERSON-AND MY RESPONSE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/INCULTURATION_OF_THE_LITURGY_AND_SACROSANCTUM_CONCILIUM-JON_ANDERSON-AND_MY_RESPONSE.doc

IS HOLY COMMUNION EQUIVALENT TO PRASADAM-IS IT SAFE FOR CATHOLICS TO CONSUME PRASADAM

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/IS_HOLY_COMMUNION_EQUIVALENT_TO_PRASADAM-IS_IT_SAFE_FOR_CATHOLICS_TO_CONSUME_PRASADAM.doc

IS THE SYRO MALABAR CHURCH NOW OPENLY PROMOTING ITS HINDUISATION?

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/IS_THE_SYRO-MALABAR_CHURCH_NOW_OPENLY_PROMOTING_ITS_HINDUISATION.doc

LOTUS AND THE CROSS-THE HINDUISATION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN INDIA

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/LOTUS_AND_THE_CROSS-THE_HINDUISATION_OF_THE_CATHOLIC_CHURCH_IN_INDIA.doc

MAY CATHOLICS CELEBRATE THE HARVEST FESTIVAL OF PONGAL

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/MAY_CATHOLICS_CELEBRATE_THE_HARVEST_FESTIVAL_OF_PONGAL.doc

MOTHER TERESA AT PRAYER IN A BUDDHIST TEMPLE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/MOTHER_TERESA_AT_PRAYER_IN_A_BUDDHIST_TEMPLE.doc

PAGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN INDIA 01

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/PAGANIZATION_OF_THE_CHURCH_IN_INDIA_01.doc

PAGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN INDIA 02

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/PAGANIZATION_OF_THE_CHURCH_IN_INDIA_02.doc

PAGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN INDIA-RESPONSES

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/PAGANIZATION_OF_THE_CHURCH_IN_INDIA-RESPONSES.doc

SONIA GANDHI-CATHOLIC OR HINDU?

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/SONIA_GANDHI-CATHOLIC_OR_HINDU.doc

THE GOLDEN SHEAF-A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES DEALING WITH ECCLESIASTICAL ABERRATIONS

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_GOLDEN_SHEAF-A_COLLECTION_OF_ARTICLES_DEALING_WITH_ECCLESIASTICAL_ABERRATIONS.doc

THE HINDUISATION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH-IMAGES

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_HINDUISATION_OF_THE_CATHOLIC_CHURCH-IMAGES.doc

THE ONGOING ROBBERY OF FAITH-FR P K GEORGE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_ONGOING_ROBBERY_OF_FAITH-FR_P_K_GEORGE.doc

THE PAGANISATION OF THE LITURGY IN INDIA-C B ANDRADE

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_PAGANISATION_OF_THE_LITURGY_IN_INDIA-C_B_ANDRADE.doc

THE PAGANIZED CATHOLIC CHURCH IN INDIA-VICTOR J F KULANDAY

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_PAGANIZED_CATHOLIC_CHURCH_IN_INDIA-VICTOR_J_F_KULANDAY.doc

THE TWELVE POINTS OF ADAPTATION FOR THE INDIAN RITE MASS-WAS A FRAUD PERPETRATED ON INDIAN CATHOLICS?

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_TWELVE_POINTS_OF_ADAPTATION_FOR_THE_INDIAN_RITE_MASS-WAS_A_FRAUD_PERPETRATED_ON_INDIAN_CATHOLICS.doc

THE ST PIUS X SEMINARY CELEBRATES HINDU DEITY GANESH

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/THE_ST_PIUS_X_SEMINARY_CELEBRATES_HINDU_DEITY_GANESH.doc

WAS JESUS A YOGI? SYNCRETISM AND INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE-ERROL FERNANDES

http://ephesians-511.net/docs/WAS_JESUS_A_YOGI_SYNCRETISM_AND_INTERRELIGIOUS_DIALOGUE-ERROL_FERNANDES.doc

WHY INDIAN CATHOLICS DO NOT WANT AN INDIAN POPE
http://ephesians-511.net/docs/WHY_INDIAN_CATHOLICS_DO_NOT_WANT_AN_INDIAN_POPE.doc

Categories: Hinduisation of the Catholic Church in India