Some members of the Goan community in North West England. Photo: Sheldon Rodrigues
PANAJI
The Catholic community in the Goan Association North West (GANW) has made a fervent appeal for the services of a permanent Goan priest to meet the spiritual, pastoral, and social needs of the Goan community in the North West of England.
GANW President Melanie Antao Fernandes, who has been spearheading this initiative, said that a dedicated Goan priest would be best positioned to preserve Goan Catholic heritage in the region and build stronger links with Goans across local parishes in the North West.
GOANS IN NORTH WEST
“We have been trying very hard to get a permanent Goan priest to support the Goan community here in the North West. We believe, Manchester can be the hub as it is central for people living in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Liverpool and Liverpool City Region. It would provide pastoral care over 150 Goan Catholic families living in the region, a number which has been growing in the last few years,” explained Melanie.
She sought to explain how the North West differs from the South of England.
“There is a large population of Goans in the South of England, particularly in areas like Wembley, Hounslow and Southall in London, Swindon and Southampton. The Goan Chaplaincy in the UK is mostly serving Goans in the South,” said Melanie.
“Most people in the North West are those who moved directly here from the Gulf countries, where they may have lived for decades.”
“Besides, there is a large section that moved from the South, especially from areas like Swindon, to the North West for better prospects and life. Many have already invested in permanent housing as well. Over the years, people have also moved to the Midlands in places like Leicester, which has a large Indian population.”
Melanie said the GANW is the only officially registered body that supports and connects Goans in the North West.
“About 150 families are formally registered, with many more connected informally, and these Goan families are located across Manchester, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Liverpool, Lancashire, and West Yorkshire. The GANW provides an established structure for coordination, communication, and participation,” said Melanie.
NEED FOR GOAN PRIEST
Melanie said Goans share a strong Catholic faith tradition intertwined with cultural heritage.
“The Goan community in Wythenshawe has been celebrating the feast of St Francis Xavier with a Konkani Mass for the past three years with a visiting priest from London. Building on this foundation, there is now a strong intention to grow this into a larger, more inclusive celebration of Goa’s patron saint, bringing together the wider Goan community across the North West.”
“GANW has led initiatives like the Lenten retreat and cultural events. The Goan community has always demonstrated a strong commitment to Catholic faith and traditions,” explained Melanie.
“The North West region comprises the Archdiocese of Liverpool, the Diocese of Salford, and the Diocese of Lancaster. GANW members belong to parishes across these dioceses. A dedicated priest who understands Goan culture, language and liturgical tradition is essential for this region. Current needs are served ad hoc, without consistency or dedicated pastoral care.”
Highlighting the benefits of a dedicated Goan priest for North West England, Melanie said a Goan priest would provide pastoral care tailored to Goan Catholic families.
“The Goan priest will strengthen faith practice through Mass, retreats, catechism, and sacraments; preserve Goan Catholic heritage for future generations; and build stronger links with an archdiocese in the Northwest and local parishes.”
Melanie has even suggested that a Goan priest could be based in neighbouring towns like Warrington.
“Warrington makes sense because it is equidistant to Manchester and Liverpool, the two main cities and commercial hubs of the North West. With a clear, structured approach, the Goan Chaplaincy can work with GANW to engage the Diocese and advance the appointment of a dedicated priest for the region,” said Melanie.
APPEAL TO CHURCH LEADERS
Melanie said she has put forth her request before the Society of Pilar, where some of its priests are serving in the UK.
“I have reached out to the Pilar Fathers in this connection. There are a few priests from the Pilar Fathers in the South of England, but most serve as parish priests or assistant parish priests. This means they have commitments to their own parishes,” said Melanie.
“Goans in North West are quite spread out and well entrenched in their parishes, which is great and shows we are well integrated within the communities we live. However, there are certain spiritual needs that are culture-based, and for this reason, it would be great to have a priest dedicated to our region based here in the North West.”
“I have contacted the Pilar Fathers in the UK and in Goa, and we eagerly await a response from them. I understand the difficulties of organising these things and that there might be a shortage of priests.”
Melanie said the GANW has fervently sought the support of church leaders in Goa and in England to appoint a dedicated priest to serve the North West.
“The Goan Catholic community is vibrant, growing, and deeply faithful. Goans form a strong and active Catholic base willing to support and collaborate with the Goan priest. Together, we can ensure Goan traditions enrich the wider Church in the region,” she added.
