Goa: Dark History of the Inquisition

I was doing some research and discovered the existence of a group claiming to be descendants of those who were killed during the Portuguese Inquisition in Goa more than 400 years ago! They also insist - sans proof - that Jesuit cofounder, St.  Francis Xavier, of “the Apostle to the Indies and Far East” fame, was responsible for many deaths during the un-Holy Inquisition!  

Not to condone the brutality of the Inquisition, but these were the darkest of Dark Ages, one in which an over-zealous Church (influenced by and often in league with corrupt power-grabbing Southern European monarchies) ruthlessly stamped out non-believers. 

The Inquisition (Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese) was all about power - not religion, although many abuses were committed in its name. In Goa, it meant (among other things) that converts had to drop every trace of local customs and clothing.
    

Dissident Group

In 2014 - while the exposition of Xavier’s remains at the Basilica of Bom Jesu in Velha Goa (old Goa) was taking place - the same group of concerned citizens from Mangalore (Catholics, I believe), started a movement to ban exposition of the body. 

They claimed (disingenuously) to have proof of 2,000 or more deaths in the 16th century that they said had a connection to Xavier. They asked that his remains "not be venerated"; that he no longer be called a saint; that the body be removed immediately from public display; and - finally - demanded it be sent back to France! 

Navarrese Basque, not Spanish!

Why France?  Because, like his friend and co-founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit Order) - Ignatius of Loyola - Xavier was also from the Basque region (straddling northern Spain and southwest France), now part of Spain. Loyola was born in Castille and Xavier in the Kingdom of Navarre, making him Navarrese Basque, not Spanish, an important distinction.  (Until 2011, the region had its own violent separatist homeland movement, Basque-ETA, for more than 50 years).  

Both Loyola and Xavier were noblemen; both purpose-driven, focused on a vision to travel the world carrying the message of the Gospel. After missionary work in India, Borneo, Malaya, and Japan, Xavier died on Shangchuan Island before he could reach China.  He was canonized (declared a saint) nearly 500 years ago by Pope Paul V in 1622.  

Proof After 400 Years?

No doubt, the dissident group went public as a matter of principle and to raise awareness for their cause. Whatever iota of truth they may or may not have had on their side, this is too risky an action for these fraught times!

Almost all historical records were destroyed by the Portuguese when the Goa Inquisition was abolished in 1820. We do not know the exact number of those put on trial and the punishments they received. The few records that have survived suggest that at least 57 people were executed for religious crimes but no link to Xavier was ever found. 

It is true, however, that the Goa Inquisition was proposed by Xavier and perhaps that is the link they seek. 

Not a Joke!

In my not unbiased view, it’s only a matter of time before the “chaddiwala” fanatics targeting minorities in the north get hold of this explosive story and descend on Goa demanding that all Christians be reconverted to Hinduism, la seule foi vraie et sainte!  (That French phrase translates to “the one true and holy faith!” I used to say that about Catholicism - just kidding - not any more!)

Can you imagine what would happen if we let these crazies do reconversions, as they've threatened and tried in other parts of the country? It would destroy everything special and delightful and awesome about Goa: the unique vibe, the diversity, the peace, the sanity!

Mangalore  

A word about Mangalore and Mangaloreans. Like Goa, Mangalore in southern Karnataka, has been Christian for nearly 500 years with brief periods of Portuguese control although Christianity may have predated the Portuguese. Some of the earliest Christians fled to Mangalore from Goa to escape the Portuguese Inquisition and then later from the rulers of Bijapur and the Marathas. 

Being a rich and prosperous port for several centuries, with a flourishing trade (pepper, sandalwood, turmeric, ginger, cassia, cinnamon, coir), Mangalore became a bone of contention between British India and Mysore rulers, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, during the 18th century Anglo-Mysore Wars. 

Compared to Goa - with which it has a long-standing friendly rivalry and shares a religion and language (Konkani), Mangalore's culture is less Westernized! 

Relics 

As a footnote, I want to add that a lot of people (myself, most certainly) are turned off (grossed out, even!) at the idea of “relics” (desiccated human body parts) being considered holy!  I remember going to the Vatican many years ago and seeing many such Papal relics (finger nails, hair, skulls) preserved in the crypt!  

The Catholics used to be big on this sort of thing a century (and more) ago; so were Muslims - not Protestants or Hindus. I was surprised to learn that Buddhist stupas also held relics (the tooth, for instance) of the Buddha or other saints - surprising since Buddhism is an offshoot of Hinduism. 

But, dare I say, Catholicism is moving away from these passé medieval practices into more enlightened times!

“Iam olim serva scriptor!”

I don’t get this insane need to air old imaginary grievances!  Let’s keep the past buried in the past!  (“Iam olim serva scriptor!”).*  Let’s not destroy each other in the present for might have happened - or not happened - more than 400 years ago! 

Ludi Joseph

Washington, D.C.

Dec. 16, 2017

P.S. *I have to check with my padre uncle, the Monsignor, whether the Latin grammar is correct!