Goa rejoices as Fr Simião ordained Bishop

OLD GOA: In a grand religious ceremony held at the iconic Se Cathedral in Old Goa, Rev Fr Simião Purificação Fernandes was ordained as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman amidst pomp and piety. The Episcopal Ordination was presided over by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, who served as the Principal Consecrator.

The centuries-old Se Cathedral provided a fitting backdrop for the solemn event, which saw the convergence of prominent religious figures, government dignitaries, and thousands of faithful from across the region. The ceremony commenced at 3:30 pm with a Eucharistic celebration, during which Cardinal Ferrão formally ordained Fr Simião Fernandes as a Bishop, in accordance with the appointment made by Pope Francis on April 6, 2024.

Joining Cardinal Ferrão as co-consecrators were Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX, the Bishop of the Diocese of Daltonganj, and Bishop Aleixo Dias, SFX, the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Port Blair.

The prestigious gathering included several noteworthy attendees, including Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, Bishop John Rodrigues of Poona, Bishop Barthol Barretto of Nashik, Bishop Malcolm Sequeira of Amravati, Bishop Thomas Elavanal of Kalyan, Bishop Alwyn Barreto of Sindhudurg, Bishop Lourdes Daniel, the Bishop Emeritus of Nashik, Bishop Mathews Mar Pachomios of the Eparchy of Khadki, Bishop Derek Fernandes of Belgaum, Bishop Duming Dias of Karwar and Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha of Mangalore.

The ceremony commenced with a brief introductory documentary highlighting the life and journey of Bishop-Elect Simião Purificação Fernandes. Born on December 21, 1967, in Chandor, Goa, to the late Victor Fernandes and Ana Santana Costa, Fr Simião was ordained as a priest on May 10, 1993, after completing his seminary studies at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol. He later earned a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Jnana Deepa Pontifical Athenaeum in Pune.

As the Eucharist began, Cardinal Ferrão expressed his joy at the appointment of Rev Simião Purificação Fernandes as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Highlighting the new Bishop’s motto, “Not to be served, but to serve,” His Eminence invited the people to pray for the Bishop-Elect, that as he takes this major responsibility he may offer himself wholeheartedly to the service of the Lord and his people.

In his homily, Bishop Sebastiao Mascarenhas, SFX, the Bishop of the Diocese of Baroda, while focusing on the motto of the new Bishop, highlighted that we as humans yearn for worldly values but Fr Simiao reminds us of the selfless service of the Church to the poorest of the poor. He brought to the notice of the people how priests and religious go to the corners of India serving selflessly for the nation. Jesus teaches us this, selfless service, sacrifice, without expecting anything in return, and this is the message for all of us the faithful of Christ. He also reminded that leaders have to be role models, they should have the concerns of the people in their heart, and that they should do their work with enthusiasm and joy.

As the rite of consecration commenced, the liturgical commentator, Fr Agnelo Pinheiro, reminded the faithful of the duties and responsibilities of a Bishop, which include preaching the Word of God, protecting the faith, and following the teachings of the Church under the obedience of the Pope.

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 Lobo requested the Archbishop to accept the Bishop-elect to be ordained as a Bishop. Fr Kevin Justin Kintis (Second Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature, India) and Fr Pereira read the Apostolic Letter by Pope Francis appointing Fr Simião as Auxiliary Bishop in Latin and Konkani (Translation) respectively.

The Rite of Episcopal Ordination encompassed several symbolic and meaningful steps, including 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 the Kiss of Peace.

In his address, Bishop Simião Fernandes expressed his sentiments of gratitude, thanking God, his family members, Cardinal Ferrão, and the organizing committee, along with their collaborators. He also remembered his departed parents. He reminded the congregation that the Church is synodal, and all are disciples on a shared journey. Expressing his appreciation, he said, “My esteemed companions on the Synodal Journey, ‘Dev Borem Korum,’ I thank my God each time for you, and when I pray for you, I pray with joy.” He also asked the people to continue praying for him.

Amongst the other esteemed clergy members who were present for the ceremony, included provincials of various religious congregations based in Goa, such as were Fr Jose Remedious Fernandes (Vicar General, Archdiocese of Goa and Daman); Fr Stephen Alathara (Deputy Secretary General, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (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); and Fr Tony D'Souza, ofm (Episcopal Vicar for Religious).

With approximately 350 priests, a large number of deacons and around 6,000 faithful in attendance, the ceremony was a testament to the enduring faith and unity of the Goan Catholic community.

Fr Mathew Rebelo of Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol led the liturgical singing while Fr Afonso Mendonca animated the liturgy. 

Deron Rodrigues, Moderator of the Diocesan Pastoral Council and Fr Lucio Dias, Episcopal Vicar for South Zone/ Convenor of the Episcopal Ordination Committee spoke on the occasion. 

The Episcopal Ordination was also graced by several prominent government officials and bureaucrats, including Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, MPs Shripad Naik, Viriato Fernandes, and other dignitaries such as MLAs Yuri Alemao, Carlos Alvares Ferreira, Alexio Sequeira, Mauvin Godinho, Joshua D’Souza, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Sudin Dhavalikar, Subhash Shirodkar and Viresh Borkar.