Editorial
Culture of Presumption: Disservice to a Man who saw no Evil
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 15-Jun-2026
In May 2026, a popular priest, Fr. Bomax Pereira, suffered a cardiac arrest, and he was treated at the Goa Medical College. He was in the intensive care unit for a few days before he finally gave in and left while still in the ICU. Fr. Bolmax was one priest who connected with the people—Christians, Hindus, and Muslims. He was an ardent advocate of the environment—Goa's trees, forests, mountains, rivers, and rich cultural heritage. He was a youth icon, with several followers not only within the Catholic fold but also outside of it. Among the many creations that were dear to him were the mangroves, a plant species that held a special place in his heart due to his lifelong relationships with them, which began during his PhD studies on mangroves.
As an Asst. Professor at St. Joseph Vaz’s College, he taught botany, and some say that his teachings were always passionately linked to the plants and soils, most times with hands-on experience—feeling and touching them as if there existed a sacred relationship between him and them. Though he was not averse to political solutions to problems, he was one of the most vocal voices against destruction of nature in the name of development. Anti-people policies, as he often described them, Fr. Bolmax would go to any extent to criticise any policy that were likely to destroy environment, negligent toward the youth and farmers. For him, harming the eco-diversity of the state was like a deliberate obliteration of the cultural heritage of Goa. He believed that the message of the gospel cannot be lived unless one was connected to the realities of life. Therefore, beside his clerical mandates, which many in his community consider as confined to the fulfilment of the sacramental duties, Fr. Bolmax spoke up against any wrong that surrounds the society.
He was never known for choosing the silent route or taking on the role of a passive spectator when people faced injustice, exploitation, manipulation, or discrimination, as he considered such a muted response a dereliction of his sacred duty. Therefore, he spoke out against any government policies or programmes he perceived as anti-people. Thus, on several occasions, he red-faced the government and the chief functionaries—ministers, MLAs, and officials—particularly those with implications for the environment. In response to this, there were times when people in power had made unkind remarks against him.
Given this background, social media was rife with negative comments during his treatment at the Goa Medical College, a government-controlled hospital. Apprehensions of the likelihood of people in power insidiously targeting him while he was in GMC were abuzz. Some even commented that he was likely to be poisoned. How naïve, terrible, and unfortunate! It was inexplicable how some individuals stooped to obsessing over such a terrible idea, which was both negative and wicked, all while pretending to show concern for a person as esteemed as Fr. Bolmax, who has a wide following in the state. Ideally, during such times, when everyone eagerly awaited his condition every passing moment, the air could have been filled with prayers and positive wishes. Instead, a few people choose to spread negative thoughts, presenting a gloomy picture based on presumptions and speculations.
On May 28, his funeral in Quapem attracted the largest number of mourners, with Hindus, Muslims, and Christians showing up in big numbers to pay their homage to his mortal remains. A sea of humanity flooded his home parish of Holy Cross, exceeding its carrying capacity. Even though the last rite was purely a Christian ceremony, his friends and followers from other faiths took part in that religious rite and shared the solemnity and sacredness and grieved alongside their Christian friends. It was a testimony to how popular and connected Fr Bolam was to the common people. His outreach, acceptability, and influence transcended castes, communities, and religions. Humanity was his motto.
By choosing to engage in speculation and spreading negative vibes under the guise of expressing concerns, those who embraced a culture of presumption not only instilled negativity in the minds of many who genuinely care but also did a tremendous disservice to a man of his stature. Despite his boldness in confronting wrongdoing, he harboured no hatred towards anyone, including those who remained critical of him. These pessimists few, must have certainly hurt his Aatma a great deal.
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