PANAJI
Catholics in Goa say Pope has given them an ‘approachable pastor’ who is ‘an epitome of faithful servant’ as their new auxiliary bishop. The Pope on April 6 appointed Father Simião Purificação Fernandes, who is the current director of the Pastoral Institute of St Pius X at Old Goa, as the auxiliary bishop of Goa and Daman. After the appointment of Rev Fr Simião Purificação Fernandes as the auxiliary bishop of Goa and Daman, the BJP State President and Rajyasabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade as well as BJP State ST Morcha vice president Anthony Barbosa met him to congratulate for shouldering the new responsibility. Both BJP leaders met him at the St Pius X Pastoral Institute in Old Goa. Barbosa stated that it was a pleasure to welcome and celebrate the appointment of the new Bishop. They also prayed that the new Bishop may get the divine blessings to carry on the challenging duties of this new responsibility. Meanwhile AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva too met Rev Fr Fernandes and congratulated him.
