Roman Catholicism in Goa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Goan Catholics - are a religious community along the west coast of India, located in the former Portuguese colony of Goa. Almost all Catholics in Goa are converts to the religion, and the society is marked by a caste-system. Conversions to Catholicism were seen mainly after the start of Portuguese rule in the area, particularly along the central coast, which Lisbon ruled from the early to mid sixteenth century onwards.
[edit] One description
Goa-based poet Manohar Shetty, witing in Tehelka weekly's issue of September 9, 2006 describes the community thus: "The Roman Catholic community is a major minority in Goa. Though their numbers here have fallen from 38 percent of the population in 1960 to 26.6 percent in 2001, they are still a vibrant and influential presence. Contrary to popular notions of the susegado -- laid-back -- Goan, they are an industrious, politically active, enterprising community, with a long history of migration to East Africa, Portugal, Canada, the UK and the Middle East. Together with Goa's low birth rate (the lowest in the country), this departure for better opportunities abroad has led to their numbers dwindling back home. But Goa would not be Goa without their combative, effusive spirit, their robust tiatr (from the Portuguese tiatro, for theatre) and their enigmatic and chequered political leadership."
[edit] Conversions
Roman Catholicism in Goa has seen a tumultous period in the past, and, in the context of current-day contestations of political space on religious grouns, Goa is pointed to by some as an example of the persecution of Hindus and non-Catholics under the Goa Inquisition. However, the counter-view is that the Goa Inquisition was not targeted against people of other faiths, but against Catholics themselves who were suspected of not being determined enough in practising their religion.
[edit] External links
|
||||||||
 |
This Roman Catholicism by country-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
