File photo of Bishop-elect Sebastiäo Mascarenhas interacting with Pope Francis.
PANAJI
Pope Francis on Saturday appointed Fr Sebastiäo Mascarenhas, SFX, former Superior General of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier (Pilar Fathers), as Bishop of Baroda.
Incidentally, Bishop-elect Sebastiäo Mascarenhas is the second bishop in the Mascarenhas family from Camurlim-Salcete, as his brother is Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX is the Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Daltonganj in Jharkhand.
In a statement, Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) Secretary General Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado said the appointment was made public in Rome on Saturday at noon, corresponding to 4.30 pm (IST).
Rev Fr Sebastiäo Mascarenhas, SFX, was born on July 29, 1959 in Camurlim-Salcete and he studied at Fr Agnel High School, Pilar, Goa, before completing his BA in English Literature and Economics from St Francis de Sales College, Nagpur.
He studied philosophy at St Charles Seminary, Nagpur (1976-1979) and theology at All India Mission Seminary, Pilar, Goa (1980-1984). He obtained a Licentiate in Missiology in 1994 from Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule, Sankt Augustin, Germany, and a Doctorate in Systematic Theology from the University of Freiburg, Germany (2000).
He did his first profession in the Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier (Pilar) on July 20, 1976, and was ordained priest on May 6, 1984 in Pilar.
He served as Assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of Velankani Church, Vapi and Principal, Mother of Hope School, Vapi, Gujarat (1984-1988) and Assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of Piety Church, Silvassa and Principal, Fr Agnel High School, Silvassa (1988-1990), Chaplain in Shelti, Nagar Haveli (1990-1992).
Bishop-elect Mascarenhas went for higher studies in Germany (1992-1994). On his return, he was appointed Chaplain in Dudhni, Nagar Haveli and Principal, St. Xavier's School, Visiting Professor at Mission Seminary, Pilar, Goa (1994-1996).
From 1996 to 2000, he pursued his Doctorate in Systematic Theology, in Germany. From 2000 to 2002, he was Animator and Professor at Mission Seminary, Pilar, Goa, then Rector, Mission Seminary, Pilar, Goa (2002-2009), Provincial Superior of Mumbai Province (2009-2012), Superior of Daman Mission (2013-2017) and Superior General of the Society of Pilar (2017- August 2022). He was then appointed to Khempur Mission, Ahmedabad.
The CBCI has conveyed its prayerful greetings and best wishes to Bishop-elect Sebastiäo Mascarenhas.
