OLD GOA
Fr Simião Purificação Fernandes was ordained as Bishop by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, during the Eucharistic celebration at the Se Cathedral in Old Goa on Monday evening.
Pope Francis had appointed Fr Simião Fernandes as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman on April 6.
Thousands of people from all over the State were present at the ceremony, which was described as an “ecclesial event” of a special significance to the Church in the Archdiocese.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão was the Principal Consecrator (Ordaining) Bishop over the Eucharistic celebration and the Rite of Episcopal Ordination of a Bishop, while Bishop of Daltonganj Theodore Mascarenhas Sfx, and Bishop-Emeritus of Port Blair Alex Dias sfx, were the co-consecrators.
Twelve other bishops participating in the episcopal ordination ceremony were Archbishop Peter Machado (Bangalore), Bishop John Rodrigues (Poona), Bishop Barthol Barretto (Nashik), Bishop Malcolm Sequeira (Amravati), Bishop Sebastião Mascarenhas, sfx (Baroda), Bishop Thomas Elavanal, MCB (Kalyan), Bishop Alwyn Barreto (Sindhudurg), Bishop Lourdes Daniel (Bishop Emeritus of Nashik), Bishop Mathews Mar Pachomios (Bishop of Eparchy of Khadki), Bishop Derek Fernandes (Belgaum), Bishop Duming Dias (Karwar) and Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha (Mangalore).
Hundreds of priests present, including Fr Kevin Justin Kimtis (Second Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature, India), Fr Jose Remedious Fernandes (Vicar General, Archdiocese of Goa and Daman), Fr Stephen Alathara (Deputy Secretary General, CCBI), Fr Christopher Vimalraj Hiruthya (Associate Deputy Secretary General, CCBI), Fr Nazareth Fernandes, sfx (Superior General of the Society of Pilar), Fr Rosario Oliveira (Parish Priest, Sé Catedral), Fr Alfredo Vas (Canon, President/ Moderator Priests Council), Fr Leonardo Pegado Souza (Episcopal Vicar for Central Zone), Fr Deniz Fernandes (Episcopal Vicar for North Zone), Fr Lucio Dias (Episcopal Vicar for South Zone/Convenor of the Episcopal Ordination Committee), Fr Tony D’Souza, ofm (Episcopal Vicar for Religious), Fr Anselmo D’Souza (Mission Superior, Mission of Daman), Provincials of religious congregations in Goa, seven deacons of the Archdiocese and several diocesan and religious priests concelebrated the Eucharistic celebrations.
Fr Elvis Fernandes sfx introduced the Bishop-elect before the Mass.
Cardinal Ferrão in his introductory words expressed joy over the Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Simião and said that God has chosen him to continue the ministry of Jesus among his people. "His motto 'Not to be served, but to Serve' reveals the same,” said Cardinal Ferrão.
Delivering homily on the theme, ‘Not to be served, but to serve’ which is the motto of the new Bishop, Bishop of Baroda Sebastiao Mascarenhas Sfx, appealed to the faithful gathered to serve the other as followers of Christ.
Recalling the words of Pope Francis that he is a Servant of Servants, Bishop said, “all of us Bishops, Priests, Religious and all faithful are servants of servant and that is our Christianity.”
“The face of Jesus is seen in India today is the self-emptying, self-giving service by the Church to poorest of the poor,” said Bishop Sebastião while reminding the faithful of the service of the Church in India.
“In fact, the service of the Church is the model and a catalyst for many others to follow,” Bishop Seby said further.
In order to serve the others, Bishop appealed to the people accept the will of God in life, to be exemplary, to have care and concern for the other, and to serve with enthusiasm.
Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira (Secretary to Cardinal Ferrão) and Fr Polly Lobo (Parish Priest of Calangute) assisted the Bishop-elect during the Rite of Ordination. Fr Kevin Justin Kimtis (Second Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature, India) and Fr Joaquim L Pereira read the Apostolic letter appointing Fr Simião as Auxiliary Bishop in Latin and Konkani respectively.
The rite of Episcopal Ordination began after the proclamation of the Gospel. It consisted of the Presentation of the Bishop-elect, Examination of the candidate, Litany of the Saints, imposition of hands, Prayer of Ordination, Anointing of the Bishop’s head, Presentation of the Book of the Gospel, Investiture with the ring, Mitre, and Pastoral Staff, Seating of the Bishop, and Kiss of Peace.
Fr Agnelo Pinheiro was the liturgical commentator while Fr Afonso Mendonca animated the liturgy. Fr Mathew Rebelo of Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol led the liturgical singing. Deron Rodrigues, Moderator of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and Fr Lucio Dias spoke on the occasion.
Bishop Simião Fernandes expressed his sentiments of gratitude and asked the faithful to continue praying for him.
Among the political leaders to attend the ceremony included Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister Shripad Naik, South Goa MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes, Ministers Aleixo Sequeira, Mauvin Godinho, Sudin Dhavalikar, and Subhash Sirodkar, Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao, MLAs Viresh Borkar, Joshua D’Souza, Vijai Sardesai, Cruz Silva, Rajesh Phaldessai, Venzy Viegas, Alton D'Costa, Carlos Ferreira and Alex Reginald Lourenco.
Bishop Simião Fernandes from Guirdolim-Chandor is the 4th native Bishop to serve in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman after Bishop Francisco Rebello from Margao, Archbishop Raul Nicolau Gonsalves from Bambolim and Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão from Aldona.
