Bishop-elect Fr Agnelo Pinheiro while addressing the gathering in the presence of Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Bishop Emeritus of Sindhudurg Alwyn Barreto, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa Simião Fernandes, Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Sindhudurg Mon
PANAJI
Bishop-elect Fr Agnelo Pinheiro will be the second Goan to head the diocese of Sindhudurg, after the first Goan bishop of Sindhudurg, Bishop Emeritus Alwyn Barreto.
The diocese of Sindhudurg was established on July 5, 2005 after being separated from the diocese of Poona. It was initially a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Bombay and was transferred in 2006 to the Metropolitan Province of Goa and Damão by Pope Benedict XVI.
The diocese covers an area of about 21,099 square kilometres, including Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts and parts of Kolhapur district. Sawantwadi is the largest town in the diocese, while Ratnagiri and Malwan are also important centres.
Marathi, Konkani, and English are used in the diocesan territory. Konkani is mainly spoken at home, while Marathi is used for administrative purposes. The Catholic community reflects strong Goan cultural traditions, as many families migrated from Goa nearly 200 years ago.
When the diocese of Sindhudurg was erected in 2005, Bishop Barreto was appointed as its first bishop on July 5, 2005, and was ordained on October 5, 2005.
The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has extended its warm congratulations to Fr Agnelo Pinheiro, on his appointment as the new Bishop elect of Sindhudurg.
The official announcement was made at the Vatican at 12 pm (4.30 pm IST) on Saturday and at the same time, the announcement was delivered at the Archbishop’s House in Panaji by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, in the presence of Bishop-elect Agnelo Pinheiro.
Others present at the Archbishop’s House included Bishop Emeritus of Sindhudurg Alwyn Barreto, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa Simião Fernandes, Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Sindhudurg Monsignor Andrew D’Mello, and a few members of the Church leadership of the Diocese of Sindhudurg and of this Archdiocese.
Meanwhile, professors at Rachol Seminary have hailed their second faculty member to be appointed bishop in under two years, following the appointment of Fr Simião Purificação Fernandes as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman in 2024.
Fr Agnelo was earlier professor of Indian Philosophy and later specialised in Philosophy of Religion and dialogue at Rachol seminary. He also taught ancient and medieval western philosophy, world religions and ethics.
On his arrival at Rachol Seminary after the announcement at the Bishop's House in Panaji, Bishop-elect Pinheiro was warmly greeted by colleagues and faculty.
In his address, Bishop-elect Pinheiro described Rachol Seminary as his home, as most of his priestly ministry has been teaching at the Seminary.
Calling upon his colleagues at Rachol Seminary to continue praying for him and to support and collaborate with him in his new ministry as bishop of Sindhudurg, Bishop-elect Pinheiro expressed his gratitude to the Rector Fr Donato Rodrigues and his fellow collaborators at Rachol Seminary.
Fr Nelson Sequeira, Professor of Canon law at Rachol Seminary, described Bishop-elect Pinheiro as an unassuming person and a valuable teacher.
Fr Victor Ferrao, Parish Priest at Borim and visiting faculty of contemporary western philosophy, political philosophy and logic at Rachol Seminary, said he welcomed the “grace-filled appointment of Fr Agnelo Pinheiro.”
