A file photo of the Mascarenhas Family, with bishop-elect Sebastiäo Mascarenhas, seated extreme left and Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas seated extreme right.
PANAJI
While the appointment of a bishop is always a momentous occasion and cause for jubilation in the family, the Mascarenhas family from Camurlim-Salcete has been given the rare privilege of having a second brother elevated as bishop.
When contacted, all three siblings in the Mascarenhas family were overjoyed on receiving news that their brother Fr Sebastiäo Mascarenhas, S.F.X., had been appointed Bishop of Baroda.
“It is a moment of God's Grace. I have always admired my brother both as a priest and as a person,” said his brother, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, S.F.X., Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi, India and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Daltonganj in Jharkhand.
“Often misunderstood because he is forthright and straightforward, my brother is blessed with a golden heart which goes out to the suffering, troubled and the abandoned.”
“I am sure he will do much for God and his people as God's shepherd. We are proud of our parents, especially our mother, Maria Joaquina, who showed us to walk in the way of faith,” Bishop Theodore said.
Maria Dias, sister of bishop-elect Sebastiäo Mascarenhas, said the appointment of her brother as bishop meant blessings for the family and for their village of Camurlim.
“We as a family are extremely grateful to God that he has given two bishops to our family. It is a very rare gift. It means blessings for us and our village. We think of our lovely parents, Joaquim and Maria Joaquina, who brought us up in faith and showed us the way to the Lord,” said Dias.
“We are proud of our two brothers. Along with my husband, Simplicio, my son and daughter and their families, we rejoice in the Lord.”
Their brother, Albert, said the appointment of his second brother as bishop is a “great joy for us and a moment of happiness.”
“Two brothers of mine who love the poor and who dedicate themselves night and day to work for others have been chosen as bishops. Along with my wife, son and daughter, I thank God for this gift,” he said.
