PANAJI
Goa's Archbishop Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão is now a Cardinal. On Saturday he, along with 19 other Bishops, was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis at the St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.
At 8.05 pm (IST), Pope Francis placed the red Biretta on the head of Rev Ferrão and handed over the ring, making him the Cardinal. He is the first Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Goa in its five-century long history.
Cardinal Ferrão’s family members and a large number of Goan priests were present at the Consistory. Across Goa, Catholics watched the ceremony live that was also telecast live by local channels.
On Sunday, he will celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass in Rome with his family and friends.
In a ceremony marked with solemnity, tradition and grandeur, Pope Francis called each new Cardinal by name at which time they stood up. The cardinal designates then professed their faith aloud and took a solemn oath and pledged to carry out their duties faithfully and diligently.
In the solemn pledge, Cardinal Ferrão and the 19 other new cardinals promised that they would, from this day forth and as long as they live remain faithful to Christ and his Gospel, constantly obedient to the Holy Apostolic Roman Church, to Blessed Peter in the person of the Supreme Pontiff, become member of the Roman clergy and cooperate more directly in Francis and his canonically elected successors, always to remain in communion with the Catholic Church in his words and actions, not to make known to anyone matters entrusted to me in conï¬dence, the disclosure of which could bring damage or dishonour to Holy Church, to carry out diligently and faithfully the duties to which he is called in his service to the Church, according to the norms laid down by law.
The new Cardinals then individually approached the Pope, kneeling before him to receive the biretta and the ring.
Handing over the biretta to Cardinal Ferrão, Pope Francis said, “Receive the scarlet biretta as a sign of the dignity of the cardinalate, signifying your readiness to act with courage, even to the shedding of your blood, for the increase of the Christian faith, for the peace and tranquility of the people of God and for the freedom and growth of Holy Roman Church.”
Pope Francis also handed over the cardinalatial ring to Cardinal Ferrão, saying, “Receive the ring from the hands of Peter and know that your love for the Church is strengthened by the love of the Prince of the Apostles.”
The Pope in his homily encouraged the new Cardinals to embrace apostolic zeal and bear witness to God's boundless love.
After the ceremony, the Cardinals were allowed courtesy visits by their close associates and well wishers present there. Pope Francis will also celebrate Holy Eucharist with the newly appointed cardinals at St Peter's Basilica.
