The appointment of Rev Fr Simião Purificação Fernandes as Auxiliary Bishop-elect of the Archdiocese of Goa has ignited hope in the people of God in Goa. As the Church walks together with the people of God, the leaders of the Church also are in an intense mood of expectant joy. The church, thus, is getting ready to live another golden moment of its own history. Lord Jesus Christ being our hope, the coming of the new Auxiliary Bishop promises us a grace-filled time. It is this hope the enlightens our faith and stimulates love among us. Although the gift of the Auxiliary Bishop is of ecclesial nature, it does have deep socio-political as well as cultural ramifications for our society. It will bring what we may call ‘Simião Effect’ both within and outside the Church to every individual human person and communities at large.
Given his human gifts, the new Auxiliary Bishop is in the right position at the right time to unite everyone offering Jesus as the hope of humanity. The participation in the anointing of Jesus through the episcopal order, the Bishop to be Rev Dr Simião has what it takes to be the leader who will open new horizons of hope, faith and love for the Church in Goa.
The strengths of the Simião effect is based on the fact the Bishop-elect is attuned to the joys and hardship, resources and the needs of the people of God in Goa. Therefore, with him and with the leadership of His Eminence Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, the Church in Goa can truly become the ‘Amen’ of Christ to our heavenly Father in the Holy Spirit. It is this ‘Amen’ through the power and grace of the Holy Trinity that will enable the Church in Goa to walk the difficult path of synodality.
The synodal journey of the Church in Goa has Simião effect at its heart. In hindsight, led by grace, we may say that it was divine providence that put Rev Dr Simião at the heart of the synodal preparation and celebration under the visionary leadership of our Cardinal Ferrão.
Perhaps, we all have the challenge to work together to transform each of our parishes into a synodal parish. Synodal parishes will indeed become God’s channels of life and hope to all.
The ministry and charism of the episcopacy of Rev Dr Simião offers us a hope the Church in Goa can became ‘a conversation in the Spirit’ learning to arrive at communal discernment as taught by our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
The Simião effect offers us the best possibility to bring about this renewal of our church and society. Synodality is not novelty alone. It bridges continuity and newness. The Simião effect has the potency to bring this co-mingling between newness and tradition in Goa.
Among the several charisms, the new Bishop-elect is a precious one. As we have begun the journey of synodality with Catholics, we still have to go miles to walk with other Christians and people of other faiths.
Hence, the Simião effect will trigger energies that will enable us to journey not just with humans but also with the fragile nature of Goa where both people and animals are in conflict with our rulers.
The Simião effect also widens the horizons of listening in the Church at all levels and empower people who take up prophetic speaking-out both within and outside the Church.
The Simião effect promises us to stimulate dialogue in the Church and society. This active listening and dialogue already opens us to the mission of Christ in our society.
It is in this spirit that we can pray that the episcopal ministry of Rev Dr Simião becomes authentic ministry of hope for all in Goa. The Simião effect is indeed set to be a harbinger of hope to all.
(The writer is parish priest at the St Francis Xavier Church in Borim)
