Expressing “deep anguish” over attacks on Christians during the recent Christmas celebrations in several parts of the country, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, said Wednesday that such incidents “vitiate the moral fabric of our nation”.In his customary message on New Year’s Eve, the Archbishop said it’s a cause for grave concern that some communities are being persecuted for celebrating their most cherished and important festivals, “often with the tacit approval of the authorities”.“While greeting you, I cannot but also express my deep anguish at the growing sense of insecurity being created, in recent times, among minority communities. The unwarranted attacks on Christians during the recent Christmas celebrations in several parts of our country are a painful testimony to this trend,” he said.Such incidents, he said, vitiate the moral fabric of India, “which has traditionally been peace-loving and encouraging of its diverse cultures, religions and traditions”.“Apart from causing pain to our Christian communities, these occurrences are in blatant disregard for the sacred values India has always stood for,” he said. “It is indeed a cause for grave concern that, even though the Constitution of India mandates free and fair expression of the practice of one’s religion, some communities are persecuted for celebrating their most cherished and important festivals, often with the tacit approval of the authorities.”He went on to say: “As we venture into the year 2026, we appeal to the concerned authorities at all levels, to own their constitutional responsibility and moral accountability and to act decisively, and impartially, bringing the perpetrators to justice, thereby restoring the confidence of all citizens in the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of our great nation. We also urge the overwhelming majority of our fellow countrymen, who continue to stand for harmony, justice and mutual respect, to join hands to counter the divisive forces and uphold the unity of our nation”.In a letter to all the parishes in 2022, the Archbishop had said that divisive forces were slowly creeping up to divide people on religious grounds and called on people “to come together to actively and prudently keep away from this evil so that all religions live in dignity and harmony”.Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Goa