MARGAO: Tributes poured in for Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas SFX after the Ranchi Catholic Archdiocese announced on Thursday that he was appointed as the Bishop of Daltonganj, Jharkhand.
His home village of Camorlim in particular were overjoyed about the news, especially given the fact that the Mascarenhas house already has another Bishop, Rev Sebastiäo Mascarenhas, the Bishop of Baroda.
“I am very proud to have two brothers as Bishops, Bishop Seby (Sebastiao) Mascarenhas and Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, and they are doing very good work for the downtrodden and the poor. And now my brother Theodore, has been elevated from Auxiliary to Bishop of Daltonganj and this has made our family, our village and Goa very proud,” said Maria Dias, the sister of Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, “It’s an excellent privilege for us Amborkars, and Goa that the son of the soil is being lifted to such a spiritual height,” said Rosy Dias from Ambora, Camurlim.
“God has chosen him to be in this place according to his will and he will become the cornerstone there, “ added Peter Fernandes, also from Camurlim. Others from Goa also praised the work the Bishop has been doing in Jharkhand for the last two years including his humanitarian service during the Covid pandemic.
“Congratulations on your well-deserved elevation to the esteemed position of Bishop of Daltonganj. This significant achievement is a testament to your dedication, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to your calling ,” added Clive De Souza.
When asked for his message to the people who have been praying for him, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas told O Heraldo, “I am grateful to God who has created me, my parents, family, to the Society of Pilar that has brought me in and I am grateful for all those who have been praying for me even those who I do not know as there is no better gift than prayer.” Incidentally, the Bishop boarded a flight to Goa on Friday evening as he has to attend a wedding of two close family members.
He added that he will be one of the co-celebrants for the main St Francis Xavier Feast Mass on December 4 at Old Goa, along with his brother, the Bishop of Baroda, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, and other celebrants.
