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Archdiocese does not conform to remarks made by 'sexist' priest: Bishop Agnelo

After the questionable comments made by Fr Neville Fernandes during a Sunday mass, Bishop Agnelo Gracias has asked him to stick to the topics he is preaching and refrain from making controversial statements.

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After the questionable comments made by Fr Neville Fernandes during a Sunday mass, Bishop Agnelo Gracias has asked him to stick to the topics he is preaching and refrain from making controversial statements.

Media reports suggested that Fr Neville had made remarks like "Boys are more intelligent than girls" and "Girls outshine boys because of hard work and sincerity" during the Lenten mission at St Anthony's church in Vakola. It did not go well with the Archdiocesan Women's Commission (AWC).

Marcia D'cunha, executive secretary of the AWC, has asked Bishop Savio to stop him from preaching. "Every word he has said is destructive and ill informed. He should not be allowed to preach for the rest of the Lenten mission. We are upset by the statements made by him and want to know if the Redemptorist Church believes in what he has said. He was asked not to make statements a few days ago, but he still made them. He is making statements that are not justified by facts or history," she said. She added that the AWC has been conducting gender equality programs for the recently concluded international Women's Day since the past three Sundays.

Bishop Agnelo said that the Archdiocese does not subscribe to the statements made by the priest. "God made men and women equal. I have told him to not make any controversial statements and stick to the topic he is preaching. If he has said that boys are more intelligent, there is no proof of it. Both have different qualities and they are not biologically similar. Boys usually have more opportunities, so these can be considered societal in nature," he said.

Father Neville said that the whole congregation is with him and that his statements were taken out of context. "I have been preaching since 28 years and was transferred to Goa because I stood up a headmistress against all the priests in Chembur. My heart is with women and I was trying to motivate mothers into challenging their sons. Mothers spoil their boys and then cry when they don't listen. Mothers don't spoil girls, which works to their (girls') advantage. I still say that women are more practical than men and they shouldn't be partial. I say that both boys and girls should tell each other that they are intelligent, which creates a secure environment. Women are hard workers and sincere, which outshines intellect," he said.

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