PANJIM, NOV 30
In a significant decision, Pope Benedict XVI has given his approval to the Goa-based Society of Missionaries of St Francis Xavier, Pilar (Society of Pilar) as a Society of Apostolic Life for mission Ad Gentes of Pontifical Right.
To commemorate the event, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay will preside over a Eucharistic Celebration at 4 pm, on December 4, in the Pilar Seminary Chapel, Pilar.
His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao and Archbishop Emeritus Raul Gonsalves, of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman will concelebrate at the Mass.
The official decree of the approval of the Society of Pilar as Society of Apostolic Life for mission Ad Gentes of Pontifical Right will be read during the celebration.
Students from Nampong, Arunachal Pradesh will present a special one hour programme in the Seminary Annexe Hall, Pilar.
An exhibition of the activities of the Society of Pilar will be inaugurated and special issues of Fr Agnelo’s Call – a monthly magazine and Vavraddeancho Ixtt – a weekly tabloid will be released on the occasion.
Canon 593 of the Code of Canon Law explains the meaning of Pontifical Right as, “institutes of pontifical right are immediately and exclusively subject to the power of the Apostolic See with regard to internal governance and discipline”.
Father Theodore Mascarenhas, a Pilar Father in charge of the Departments of Asia, Africa and Oceania at the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture, stated that “the Society has to now gear up to its new role and new status.”
“The missionary charisma is to be further strengthened and new ways should be found to exercise it. The constitutions have to be amended to incorporate the changes ordered by the Congregation for the Evangelization for Peoples.”
“These changes will be more regarding governance in order to reflect the new powers, rights and responsibilities of the major superiors in the society and about the relationship of the Society to the Holy See and to the other bishops,” said Fr Mascarenhas.
