GOA. Goa: In a grand religious ceremony held at the iconic Se Cathedral in Old Goa, Rev. Fr. Simeo Purificao Fernandes was appointed as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman amid pomp and solemnity. The Episcopal Ordination was presided over by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, who served as the Principal Consecrator.
The centuries-old Se Cathedral provided a fitting backdrop for the solemn ceremony which saw the gathering of prominent religious figures, government dignitaries and thousands of devotees from across the region. The celebrations began with the Eucharistic Celebration at 3:30 pm during which Cardinal Ferrao formally appointed Fr. Simeo Fernandes as Bishop as per the appointment made by Pope Francis on April 6, 2024.
Cardinal Ferrão was joined as co-consecrator by Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas of the Diocese of Daltonganj, SFX and Bishop Emeritus Bishop Alexo Dias of the Diocese of Port Blair, SFX.
Many notable people attended the prestigious ceremony, including Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, Bishop John Rodrigues of Poona, Bishop Barthol Barreto of Nasik, Bishop Malcolm Sequeira of Amravati, Bishop Thomas Elavanal of Kalyan, Bishop Alwyn Barreto of Sindhudurg, Bishop Emeritus Bishop Lourdes Daniel of Nasik, 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 began with a brief introductory documentary highlighting the life and journey of Bishop-Elect Simeio Purificao Fernandes. Born on December 21, 1967 in Chandor, Goa to late Victor Fernandes and Ana Santana Costa, Father Simeio was ordained a priest on May 10, 1993, having completed his seminary studies at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol. He later obtained a Licentiate in Holy Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Gyan Deepa Pontifical Athenaeum in Pune.
As the Eucharist began, Cardinal Ferrão expressed his joy at the appointment of Rev. Simeio Purificao Fernandes as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. Highlighting the new Bishop’s motto, “Not to be served, but to serve”, His Excellency invited the people to pray for the Bishop-elect, so that when he takes on this great responsibility he may dedicate himself wholeheartedly to the service of the Lord and His people.
In his homily, Bishop Sebastiao Mascarenhas, SFX, Bishop of the Diocese of Baroda, focusing on the new Bishop’s motto, highlighted that we humans crave for worldly values, but Father Simiao reminds us of the selfless service the Church does to the poorest of the poor. He told the people how priests and religious go to every nook and corner of India and serve the nation selflessly. Jesus teaches us this, selfless service, sacrifice, without expecting anything in return, and this is the message for all of us believers in Christ. He also reminded that leaders should be role models, have concern for the people in their hearts, and should do their work with enthusiasm and joy.
As the rite of consecration began, the liturgical commentator, Fr Agnelo Pinheiro, reminded the faithful of the duties and responsibilities of a bishop, which include preaching the word of God, defending the faith and following the teachings of the Church under obedience to the Pope.
Fr Joaquim Loyola Pereira, secretary to Cardinal Ferrao, 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 appointment of the bishop-elect as a bishop. Fr Kevin Justin Kintis (Second Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature to India) and Fr Pereira read out the apostolic letter by Pope Francis appointing Fr Simeao as auxiliary bishop in Latin and Konkani (translation) respectively. The Rite of Appointment to the Office of Bishop consisted of several symbolic and meaningful stages, including the presentation of the bishop-elect, the examination of the candidate, the prayer to the saints, the imposition of hands, the prayer of appointment, the anointing of the bishop’s head, the presentation of the Book of the Gospels, the investiture with ring, mitre and pastoral staff, the seating of the bishop, and the kiss of peace.
In his address, Bishop Simões Fernandes expressed his feelings of gratitude by thanking God, his family members, Cardinal Ferrão and the Organizing Committee as well as his colleagues. He also remembered his late parents. He also thanked the congregation.
