Special Supplement Special Supplement Exclusive Interview with Fr Thomas Reddy, SJ regarding his latest book Exclusive Interview with Fr Thomas Reddy, SJ regarding his latest book ARCHDIOCESE OF BOMBAY AT CROSSROADS ARCHDIOCESE OF BOMBAY AT CROSSROADS 1.What inspired you to write the History of the Church in Bombay? This book is the labou 2. Why do you think that the history of the church is important? r of my doctoral work. Since I had been working in the Archives of the Society of Jesus as a Director I happened to come across original documentation in the Archives, on the problems of the East Indians with regards to the functioning of Padroado priests in Bombay Archdiocese. History of the Church gives us the story of our Past. Knowing the past history can help us avoiding the pitfall again in the Present and future. Beside knowing past keeps up the continuity in the catholic community between the present and the future. This certainly is one important reason. One also sees the growth or progress made by church in the last th 20 centuries. Studying Church history helps us to know our strong points and our limitations our heritage, the good the bad and the ugly. We can learn to accept our story in all humanness. Well the special features of this book and history is that I have been able to bring out the struggle of common people who (the East Indian of Vasai and Thane) expressed their need of doing away with the Padroado Jurisdiction, in order to make progress intellectually, socially, financially and emotionally. I expect that the readers have a better understanding as to the Double Jurisdiction problem. The decision made by Rome was for the good of the Catholics at large in the Archdiocese of Bombay. There are no taking side one against other Padroado against the Propaganda. Since the book is written in a research manner the impact would be one of Informative knowledge rendered to those who read it. The story that unfolds itself brings out the human state of the Holy Church and its leaders. A lesson to all of us as to what to do and what not to do. 3. What are some of the special features of this book? 4. What are your expectations from your readers? 5. What is the expected impact of this book on a larger community? Special Supplement Special Supplement December 2014 December 2014