Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: State Social Worker awardee and octogenarian Natividade De Sa has written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking permission to celebrate the annual feast of St Francis de Assisi on October 4 at the historic church located on Anjediva Island.
De Sa, who has long championed the cause, said repeated appeals to the State and Central government as well as the Ministry of Defence had failed, leaving him with no option but to approach the highest office in the country.
In his letter, De Sa pointed out that the Church of Our Lady of Springs (Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Brotas), built as a small thatched chapel in 1502 and later reconstructed several times, is regarded as one of the oldest Christian churches in India outside Kerala. The church, once under the Diocese of Karwar, is now owned by the Goa government but administered by the Indian Navy, which has barred civilian entry since 2005 citing national security concerns linked to the naval base on the island.
“We humbly request that devotees be allowed to celebrate both feasts – on February 2 and October 4 – once a year. The church is also in a dilapidated condition and urgently needs renovation before it collapses,” De Sa wrote, signing off with “God Bless You.”
Traditionally, the feasts of Nossa Senhora das Brotas (Feb 2) and St Francis de Assisi (Oct 4) drew devotees from Karwar, Binaga, Goa and surrounding areas. However, since the Navy assumed control, civilian access has been cut off. Despite repeated appeals from community leaders and groups such as Fudle Pilge Khatir, permission has not been granted.
Sources reveal the heritage church is in a fragile state and risks collapse without immediate restoration. Meanwhile, a small shrine or ‘gumti’ reportedly exists on the island and continues to be worshipped by devotees of another faith.
