Religion and all that...
Listen, priest, I am a journalist. When I need information I know where to look for it!
Never did I think that a simple thing such as marriage could be such a complicated affair. Yeah, we all know about traditional Hindu weddings in India, but things can be equally elaborate, and nerve-wracking, for a Roman Catholic Goan. From what I hear, the Church, and the village priest in particular, seem to have a final say in whether two people can get married. If they wish to have a church service, there are a whole lot of procedures to be followed. Leading the way, of course, is the grandiose marriage course.
What amazes me is the sincerity with which newly married friends talk about some priest or nun, or OK, an expert, wax eloquent about stuff like family planning, love, relationships and so on.
Why don't they just make the one or two day torture selective. Do they seriously believe a stupid course will check the divorce rate or reduce marital problems? This is just another example of a few old men in the Roman Catholic church gratifying their need for importance. I have seen it happening during all the obligatory sacraments I was given, except baptism, of course.
Why all this hue and cry? Let the priest meet with the couple and have a frank discussion with them. They can get married legally anyway irrespective of whether he likes it or not. But that's too simple for an institution that thrives on drama.
Watching my most-modern educated friends, all I can say is this is part of the 'little-finger clutching' malaise afflicting Goans. Never use your own grey matter, wait for mama or papa or the priest to tell u what to do. Feel happy and secure, but screw up all the same. After all, there are plenty of shoulders to cry on.
Never did I think that a simple thing such as marriage could be such a complicated affair. Yeah, we all know about traditional Hindu weddings in India, but things can be equally elaborate, and nerve-wracking, for a Roman Catholic Goan. From what I hear, the Church, and the village priest in particular, seem to have a final say in whether two people can get married. If they wish to have a church service, there are a whole lot of procedures to be followed. Leading the way, of course, is the grandiose marriage course.
What amazes me is the sincerity with which newly married friends talk about some priest or nun, or OK, an expert, wax eloquent about stuff like family planning, love, relationships and so on.
Why don't they just make the one or two day torture selective. Do they seriously believe a stupid course will check the divorce rate or reduce marital problems? This is just another example of a few old men in the Roman Catholic church gratifying their need for importance. I have seen it happening during all the obligatory sacraments I was given, except baptism, of course.
Why all this hue and cry? Let the priest meet with the couple and have a frank discussion with them. They can get married legally anyway irrespective of whether he likes it or not. But that's too simple for an institution that thrives on drama.
Watching my most-modern educated friends, all I can say is this is part of the 'little-finger clutching' malaise afflicting Goans. Never use your own grey matter, wait for mama or papa or the priest to tell u what to do. Feel happy and secure, but screw up all the same. After all, there are plenty of shoulders to cry on.
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