The New Superior General of the Society of Pilar Fr Nazareth Fernandes (left) being greeted by Fr Valente Azavedo, one of the capitulars.
PANAJI
Fr Nazareth Rosario Fernandes was on Saturday elected the 19th Superior General of the Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier, commonly known as the Society of Pilar.
The election of the new Superior General was held during the 20th General Chapter of the Society of Pilar, which began on August 31 and will go on for another week.
In his first address to the capitulars of the General Chapter, Fr Fernandes said: “I may not have too many abilities, but I am available to carry on the works of the Society.”
He further expressed his joy and assured to “uphold the Constitutions and the traditions of the Society of Pilar and continue to witness and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, especially to those who have not yet known him.”
Hailing from Loutolim, Fr Fernandes is the son of Joaquim Manuel Fernandes and Maria Joaquina Fernandes and has four brothers and one sister.
He has a licentiate in Church History from the Gregorian University, Rome and is a professor at the Pilar Theological Seminary. He served as Rector of Pilar Niketan, Nagpur and also at the All India Mission Seminary, Pilar.
He has laboured extensively in the missions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and has served as Provincial Superior of the Kolkata Province. He also served in the General Council for two terms and was the Vicar General of the Society of Pilar during the last five years.
