Among the many achievements Goans can be credited with, one which stands out is the service to humanity, especially in the fields of spirituality, education, health and self-employment, which particularly the clergy and the religious carry out with missionary zeal in the remotest areas of our country as also in parts of various continents.
Goa-based Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier, popularly known as the Society of Pilar, founded in 1887 by Fr Bento Martins, from Orlim, has played a pioneering role in the socio-economic upliftment of the people of the areas they serve.
The recent appointment of a third Priest from its ranks – Fr Sebastiao Mascarenhas (popularly known as Fr Seby) – as Bishop of Baroda was a matter of great pride and joy, for the Society. Fr Alex Dias, from Calangute, was, in 1984, at the young age of 39, elevated as the first Bishop of Port Blair. He retired to his headquarters in Pilar, after 34 years of humble, devoted and fruitful service in the Diocese. In 2014, the Pope appointed Fr Theodore Mascarenhas, younger brother of Fr Seby, as Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi.
A unique honour to Goa, and particularly to the Society of Pilar and the Mascarenhas family from Camurlim, (also known as Ambora), Salcete is the elevation of the two brothers, both belonging to the same SFX Society, as Bishops – surely an extremely rare occurrence in the Catholic Church. Their parents, Joaquim Mascarenhas and Maria Joaquina Barreto, the latter hailing from Chinchinim, were devout Catholics, who instilled in their children –a girl and three boys – the love of God and of the neighbour. It is reported that their mother would go out of her way to help the poor, the sick and the needy and would sometimes send her children to keep company to some sick people in the village. The two Bishops have expressed that if there is any pride in their elevation as Bishops, it is that they were able to take health and education to the poorest of the poor in the areas they have served.
Bishop Seby did his early studies in Goa and Nagpur and here, he was the recipient of gold medal. He pursued his Doctorate in Systematic Theology in Germany. Later, he served in important positions as the Superior of the Mission in Daman, Rector of the Seminary in Pilar, Provincial Superior of Mumbai Province and finally as Superior General of the Society. He worked as Missionary in Vapi and in Nagar Haveli, which enabled him to familiarize with Gujarati, in which language he celebrated his Episcopal Ordination Mass.
The ordination took place in Vadodara on February 18, 2023 with Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai as the Principal Consecrator and Cardinal Patriarch of East Indies and Archbishop of Goa, Filipe Neri Ferrao and Thomas Macwan, Archbishop of Gandhinagar as Co-Consecrators. Twenty two Archbishops and Bishops, including the Apostolic Nuncio and over 300 priests attended the ceremony. Goa Government was represented by Nilesh Cabral, PWD Minister, Sandeep Jaques, Revenue and General Administration Secretary and Omvir Singh Bishnoi, Inspector General of Police.
Incidentally, there is another Goan family from Pomburpa, Bardez, which also prides in having two first cousins, sons of two brothers, as Archbishops. They are Cardinal Joseph Cutts, Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi and Anil Couto, Archbishop of Delhi.
Bishop Thedore, Auxiliary of Ranchi, now holds also the charge of the Diocese of Daltonganj in Jarhand, as its Apostolic Administrator. He has a Master’s degree in Political Science and Doctorate in Sacred Scriptures and has served as missionary in Punjab. Among the many important positions he occupied, was that of Secretary General of CBCI and lecturer at the Gregorian and St Thomas Aquinas Universities in Rome. Bishop Theodore is known for being bold and outspoken. He minced no words in condemning attacks on Christian minorities and their Churches by fringe elements and attempts at converting India into a Hindu Rashtra.
The people of Camurlim will come together, this evening, February 25 at 3.30 pm to welcome their two illustrious sons, for a joyful celebration of love and thanksgiving, in their Parish Church, along with our Archbishop-Patriarch.
