Goa: Church did not suggest any political party

The Catholic Church in Goa Monday clarified that its pre-election statement never gave preference to any political party and had only urged citizens to vote by their conscience.

According to sources, Caldeira, the director of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communication Media, earlier stirred a controversy by saying "Catholics were open to BJP" and that even in the past, BJP had come to power with the votes from the community.

Defending the statement, the Catholic Church said, "All that the church recommends is that voters use their discretion with regard to parties whose policies are in conflict with the ideals of national unity and communal harmony."

"Reports and comments in certain sections of the local press had suggested that the spokesman of the archbishop made misleading statements on behalf of the church leadership in Goa on the occasion of the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections."

Responding to questions on lack of concern of the Goa church with riot-hit victims in Kandhamal, the press statement said, it had "topped the list of the Indian dioceses which sent monetary help to the said victims."

In addition, it was the "only one which collected more than 99,000 signatures, thus raising awareness among various entities, nationally and internationally."