PANAJI
Pope Francis on Saturday appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay Barthol Barretto, a bishop of Goan origin, as the new bishop of Nashik.
The Holy Father made the appointment after accepting the resignation of Bishop Lourdnada Daniel (76), from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Nashik.
Bishop Barthol Barretto, who traces his roots to Loutolim, was born in Mumbai on September 16, 1961.
He was ordained a priest on April 8, 1989, and was elected to the titular see of Strongoli and the office of auxiliary bishop of Bombay on December 20, 2016, receiving episcopal consecration on January 28, 2017.
He is currently secretary of the Regional Council, responsible for Social Communications and the Charismatic Movement.
When he was interviewed by The Goan on January 26, 2017, Bishop Barretto had shared fond memories of his visits to Goa.
“Goa has always been for me a place of peace and calmness. The greenery of the place and the helping nature of the people of Goa has always inspired me to visit Goa often. It is in Goa that one is never lost, with people around always there to help and assist if one ever needs a helping hand,” Bishop Barretto had said.
“In retrospect, Loutolim for me has always been my second home. The entire family would look forward to a one month holiday in May. My brothers and I would jump with joy knowing that we would be going to Goa because that meant there would be a break from studies and a lot of playing games in the fields. I still remember at the end of our holidays, we would hide the cricket ball on the roof top where it would remain till our next holidays.”
“The memory I cherish most is the family getting together to prepare the annual ritual of making sausages to be carted to Mumbai for our friends and near and dear ones. It was indeed a time of bonding and a nice feeling of togetherness and joy. Leaving Goa would automatically create a feeling of sadness (as we would be back to our studies in Mumbai) mixed with the hope of meeting together as a family for the next holidays.”
When asked, at the time, for his message to fellow Goans, Bishop Barretto had said: “Goa has been for me intensely religious – it bears after all, the legacy of St Francis Xavier. I would encourage the people of Goa not to take this legacy for granted but to be staunch and committed disciples of Jesus and spend time in personal, family and community celebration of the Sacraments regularly. I pray that as committed Christians, we become other Christs to people of other faiths.”
Bishop Barretto had been the main celebrant at the Feast Mass of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa on December 3, 2018 and in his homily, had exhorted the faithful to strive to put into practice the beatitudes of Christian identity for a holy and happy life.
