The silver casket that houses the relics of Saint Francis Xavier is set to go to Italy for restoration.

However, an impasse has arisen over the responsibility to conduct the restoration. The Church authorities want to over-see the work, which was disputed by the Archaeological Society of India that manages the Bom Jesu Basilica in Old Goa where the casket is kept since 1637.

It was in that year the saint’s mortal remains were first taken away from public view and ensconced in a silver casket. It is kept atop specially constructed mausoleum within the basilica.

The silver casket has shown serious sign of distress and experts have said that it will become irreparable if no action is taken within the next few years.

“We have been wishing to send it to Italy, where they have offered to do it for free. How-ever, the ASI New Delhi put paid to such plans and has instead said that this can be done by the ASI’s chemical institute in Aurangabad,” Fr Patrício Fernandes, the rector of basilica, said.