A senior priest has hit out at the Church in Goa over several embarrassing and humiliating events that he says has damaged reputations in the state.

Father Mario Saturnino Dias, a former official of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences, also criticised the performance of clergymen during the Vatican-declared Year for Priests that ended this month.

Hemade the scathing assessment in an article for the local daily Herald on June 19, the day the special year concluded across the world.

Although there were no accusations of clergy sexually abusing minors, the release of a compact disk by some lay people discredited the Church, priesthood and priestly celibacy, he wrote.

The public even demonstrated outside the archbishop’s house and anonymous letters were circulated questioning the transparency in the administration of church property and money, he said.

He wanted priests to show more accountability in preaching the Word, the administration of Sacraments, having proper time management and make themselves available to parishioners.

Since Catholics still respect the authority of the parish priests and the bishop, they quite often do not question explanations offered. Therefore, priests ought to be even more concerned about matching their trust, he said.

He questioned whether pastors provide spiritual and moral leadership to the secular world or whether they were being influenced by worldly matters, which could result in the twisting of truth, speaking half truths and making false assurances to suit their needs.

Father Dias lamented that the Church authorities seemed to enjoy their routine life of moral relativism that lets them justify their dubious actions and cheap popularity.

On the other hand Father Dias said the special year also saw moderate participation in a prayer campaign to provide opportunities for reflection and renewal, with prayers in churches, religious communities and homes seeking priestly holiness.

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