Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA)

Mangalore, Feb 20: "The Church has always stood by Konkani language.  However, this does not mean that we are promoting a particular script.  The church is not engaged in the present script row. We want to clarify the Church's stand with regard to the ongoing script issue. Neither we are advocating Roman Script nor are we involved in the issue.  The movement has been initiated by Dalgado Konknni Akademi and there is no role played by the Church in this," said the press released by Konkani Bhasha Mandal Karnataka,  quoting Fr Nelson Sequeira, spokesperson of the Goa archdiocese.

The press release further said that the Church is planning to talk to both the parties to settle the issue amicably.

The press statement by Fr Nelson came after some reports appeared in the media that the Church had supported the rally held at Azad Maidan a week ago, which was organized by Dalgado Konknni Academy.  An email containing the message that the Church had directed the faithful to support the rally had been passed on to all the parishes. "We came to know about it and immediately sent an email clarifying that the previous email was not neither sent nor recognized by Bishop Philiph Neri," clarified Fr Nelson.

With regard to the role played by Fr Pratap Naik in the movement, the priest said that the former has not obtained permission from any of the church leaders.  "But he is within the limits of his personal freedom to do that,'" he added.