‘Seek archbishop's help to ensure Newton's presence in court'

Activist lawyer Aires Rodrigues has demanded that the court seek the help of Archbishop of Goa to ensure the presence of Fr. Newton Rodrigues in the court in connection with the 2004 Ribandar Church case.

In an application to Panaji Judicial Magistrate First Class Sarika Faldessai, Mr. Rodrigues has asked the court to issue an order to Archbishop Philipe Neri Ferrao to take steps to ensure the presence of Fr. Rodrigues in the court.

Mr. Rodrigues has sought a non-bailable warrant against Fr. Rodrigues to be sent to the office of Indian consulate at

Calgary so that it could be executed against the former parish Priest of Ribandar who is now the Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada.

Mr. Rodrigues has asked the court to issue a warrant in Fr. Newton Rodrigues' s new name Antonio Joao Niwton Rodrigues. The court had earlier issued a warrant of arrest against Fr. Newton Rodrigues for not being present in court despite being summoned but the crime branch sought 12 weeks to execute the warrant against him.

It was on Fr. Rodrigues's complaint in 2004 that Mr. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents were charge sheeted for allegedly trespassing into the Ribandar church corridor and disturbing a parish pastoral committee meeting. While Mr. Aires Rodrigues and others were charge sheeted for allegedly confronting Fr. Rodrigues on an alleged molestation case, the case filed against Fr. Rodrigues by the mother of the girl who was allegedly molested was closed.