The conflict
Accordingly, from the year 1622, different nationalities of missionaries and of different orders were enlisted and sent to India, Malacca, Siam, China, etc., proceeding directly from the Holy See in Rome as part of the “Propaganda” programme. These were sent to work in areas/dioceses parishes which were at least vaguely comprised within the diocese patronized by the King of Portugal (i.e. “Padroado”). Hence, the conflict.
How did this conflict affect our parish?
The villagers of Candolim, numbering about 150 (including parishioners from Valnai, which was affiliated to our parish till 1912), considered the chapel dating from late Portuguese times (1630) as belonging to them, since it was built by their ancestors. A “Padroado” priest, Fr. Elias D’Souza (Vicar of Poinser), was in charge of it, but as he did not visit regularly, the villagers secured a “Propaganda” priest to take over charge (Sept. 25, 1859). The “Padroado” Vicar,however, secured the key and kept this new priest out till the “Sirkar”, on hearing their complaint,secured it for them.
Fr. Elias D’Souza then filed a suit demanding re-admission to the Church (Oct. 1860), but the decision given on Jan. 28, 1861, was a neutral one, viz., that both parties had a right to the church and the court had no authority to settle what priest (“Padroado” or “Propaganda”) was the proper one.
Fr. Elias then appealed to a higher court, but lost the appeal on May 04, 1861. The appeal stated that there was nothing to show that the services should be performed only by what they called “appointed” priests; hence the decision of the lower court was confirmed, with costs to be paid by Fr. Elias.
This left the church in the hands of the “Propaganda” party. On Oct. 20, 1861,Fr. Elias came earlier and tried to prevent Fr. Joao Antonio Almeida (the “Propaganda” priest) from saying Mass by obstructing the altar steps. The “Patel”, Roquio Mariano D’Souza, was called in, and a tumult arose, and Fr. Leo Meurin (who was in charge of Candolim at that time,and later Archbishop of Bombay; a street (Meurin Street) named after him still exists today in Kandivli Village barely succeeded in preventing them from coming to blows. The obstruction continued till 2:00 p.m., when the people went away. The “Padroado” party then locked up the church and also went away.
The people then appealed to take up the case at law (Statement dated Oct. 20, 1861).A week later, they drafted an “Act of Donation” by which “the Christian Community of Candolim and Orlem resolved unanimously to give over their church with the adjacent plot of land estimated at the value of Rs.790/- as property to the Rt. Rev. Vicar-Apostolic of Bombay”, whereupon, “Rev.Leo Meurin having been deputed by the Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Bombay, accepted the donation”.This Act of Donation dated Oct. 27, 1861, was signed by Roquio Mariano D’Souza (Patel), Fr.Leo Meurin S.J. and 37 parishioners. It seems as if this “Act of Donation” was effectual, for there is no record of further conflicts and no attempt to bring the church to “Padroado” later on. In 1887,the Concordat Settlement left Candolim in possession of “Propaganda”.
Subsequently, there are a few domestic details about a piece of land bought in 1872 and added to the compound; a dispute about the boundaries in 1876 and a false alarm about a road to be cut through the compound in 1887. It has not been possible to trace records about the church which stood in the centre of the present compound and which was demolished in 1995.Questions like, When was it built?, How much did it cost?, Were there any modifications or adornments done later on? may never be answered.
Accordingly, from the year 1622, different nationalities of missionaries and of different orders were enlisted and sent to India, Malacca, Siam, China, etc., proceeding directly from the Holy See in Rome as part of the “Propaganda” programme. These were sent to work in areas/dioceses parishes which were at least vaguely comprised within the diocese patronized by the King of Portugal (i.e. “Padroado”). Hence, the conflict.
How did this conflict affect our parish?
The villagers of Candolim, numbering about 150 (including parishioners from Valnai, which was affiliated to our parish till 1912), considered the chapel dating from late Portuguese times (1630) as belonging to them, since it was built by their ancestors. A “Padroado” priest, Fr. Elias D’Souza (Vicar of Poinser), was in charge of it, but as he did not visit regularly, the villagers secured a “Propaganda” priest to take over charge (Sept. 25, 1859). The “Padroado” Vicar,however, secured the key and kept this new priest out till the “Sirkar”, on hearing their complaint,secured it for them.
Fr. Elias D’Souza then filed a suit demanding re-admission to the Church (Oct. 1860), but the decision given on Jan. 28, 1861, was a neutral one, viz., that both parties had a right to the church and the court had no authority to settle what priest (“Padroado” or “Propaganda”) was the proper one.
Fr. Elias then appealed to a higher court, but lost the appeal on May 04, 1861. The appeal stated that there was nothing to show that the services should be performed only by what they called “appointed” priests; hence the decision of the lower court was confirmed, with costs to be paid by Fr. Elias.
This left the church in the hands of the “Propaganda” party. On Oct. 20, 1861,Fr. Elias came earlier and tried to prevent Fr. Joao Antonio Almeida (the “Propaganda” priest) from saying Mass by obstructing the altar steps. The “Patel”, Roquio Mariano D’Souza, was called in, and a tumult arose, and Fr. Leo Meurin (who was in charge of Candolim at that time,and later Archbishop of Bombay; a street (Meurin Street) named after him still exists today in Kandivli Village barely succeeded in preventing them from coming to blows. The obstruction continued till 2:00 p.m., when the people went away. The “Padroado” party then locked up the church and also went away.
The people then appealed to take up the case at law (Statement dated Oct. 20, 1861).A week later, they drafted an “Act of Donation” by which “the Christian Community of Candolim and Orlem resolved unanimously to give over their church with the adjacent plot of land estimated at the value of Rs.790/- as property to the Rt. Rev. Vicar-Apostolic of Bombay”, whereupon, “Rev.Leo Meurin having been deputed by the Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Bombay, accepted the donation”.This Act of Donation dated Oct. 27, 1861, was signed by Roquio Mariano D’Souza (Patel), Fr.Leo Meurin S.J. and 37 parishioners. It seems as if this “Act of Donation” was effectual, for there is no record of further conflicts and no attempt to bring the church to “Padroado” later on. In 1887,the Concordat Settlement left Candolim in possession of “Propaganda”.
Subsequently, there are a few domestic details about a piece of land bought in 1872 and added to the compound; a dispute about the boundaries in 1876 and a false alarm about a road to be cut through the compound in 1887. It has not been possible to trace records about the church which stood in the centre of the present compound and which was demolished in 1995.Questions like, When was it built?, How much did it cost?, Were there any modifications or adornments done later on? may never be answered.