from daijiworld's special correspondent Ares from Panaji (GA)
Panaji, Jul 5: Baffled by nuisance during prayers, the tourist guides would be shooed away from opening their mouths inside Bom Jesus Basilica at Old Goa, 9 kilometres away from here.
The church authorities have swung into action following continuous complaints by the devotees who come here to pray in peace and instead encounter noisy guides and tourists.
"There were complaints from devotees that guides explaining church's historical importance to the tourists in loud voice was a nuisance during prayers and hence we decided to restrict guiding activity within the Basilica Bom Jesus Church," church's rector Fr Savio Barretto said.
This 16th century old church attains importance as it houses holy relics of St Francis Xavier, a saint who died in 1552 on his voyage to China. It is one amongst the 21 world heritage monuments marked by Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in Goa and amongst the seven world heritage monuments in Old Goa Complex.
"We welcome tourists to visit the Basilica but not the guides who create noise during the prayers. People come here to pray in peace," Fr Barretto said.
He stated that the guiding activity in the church started somewhere in 80's when entire Old Goa heritage complex became world famous on the tourist map. "At present there are seven to eight guides stationed outside the church waiting for tourists while many guides come with the tours. Several thousand tourists visit Basilica every day," Fr Barretto explained.
Renowned throughout the Catholic world, the Basilica has beautifully gilded altars and is decorated with frescoes and inlay work, officials stated.
The church authorities have been facing another piquant problem which they claim does not go well down in the Catholic faith. "During mass (prayers by priest), the tourists rush to accept the Holy Communion, which is supposed to be accepted only by Catholics," contended Fr Loila Pereira, public relation officer, Archbishop's palace.
Church's rector Fr Barretto opined that the priests celebrating mass are not able to mark out Catholics and non-Catholics while giving Holy Communion and at times non-catholic tourists innocently accept the communion which is not approved by Catholic faith.
"Communion is a part and parcel of Catholic faith and cannot be accepted unless you are baptized in the Catholic faith," Fr Barretto added.
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