Goemkarponn Desk
OLD GOA: During the Eucharistic celebration on Monday at the Se Cathedral in Old Goa, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, consecrated Fr. Simião Purificação Fernandes as a bishop.
On April 6, the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman named Fr. Simião Fernandes as its Auxiliary Bishop by decree of Pope Francis.
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas Sfx of Daltonganj and Bishop-Emeritus of Port Blair Alex Dias Sfx were the co-consecrators of the Eucharistic celebration and the Rite of Episcopal Ordination of a Bishop, respectively, presided over by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão as Principal Consecrator (ordaining) Bishop.
Prior to the Mass, Fr. Elvis Fernandes sfx gave the Bishop-elect an introduction.
In his opening remarks, Cardinal Ferrão expressed his happiness for Fr. Simiáo’s episcopal ordination and declared that God had selected him to carry on Jesus’ ministry among his people.
“The same is revealed by his motto, ‘Not to be served, but to serve’,” according to Cardinal Ferrão.
In order for the incoming bishop to give himself fully to the service of the Lord and his people as he assumes this significant responsibility, Cardinal Ferrao asked the congregation to pray for him.
In his homily, Bishop of Baroda Sebastiao Mascarenhas Sfx emphasized that people yearn for worldly values, based on the theme of the new bishop’s motto.
Bishop Sebastiao Mascarenhas stated, “But Fr. Simiao reminds us of the selfless service of the Church to the poorest of the poor.”
Following the preaching of the gospel, the process of Episcopal ordination was initiated. The ceremony included the following: the Bishop-elect’s presentation, the candidate’s examination, the Litany of the Saints, the imposition of hands, the Ordination Prayer, the anointing of the Bishop’s head, the presentation of the Gospel book, the ring, mitre, and pastoral staff investitures, the bishop’s seating, and the kiss of peace.
