Why Renaming St. Joseph Vaz Risks Casteism Over True Cultural Integration

A recent proposal by some Goan Catholic groups suggests referring to St. Joseph Vaz, the beloved 17th-century missionary, as “St. Joseph Naik Vaz.” They argue that adding “Naik,” supposedly tied to his family’s ancestral identity, would honor Goan heritage and boost evangelization efforts in India. However, this idea is deeply flawed. Rather than reflecting genuine cultural integration, it subtly...