Panaji: In a historic moment for the Diocese of Goa and Daman, Pope Francis on Saturday evening attended the 69-year-old Archbishop Philippe Neri Ferrao at the College of Cardinals in Rome.
At the Archbishop’s House in Altinho, Panaji, Victor General José Remedius Fernandes, who is currently in charge of the Archdiocese in the Archbishop’s absence, hoisted a special Vatican flag to express joy and solidarity with the Universal Church on the occasion. This flag is flown only on special occasions when an event is related to the Archdiocese and the Universal Church.
“It is a happy moment for all Goans that the son of our soil has been elevated to such a great position of service. It is also a great responsibility that rests on the shoulders of our Archbishop to serve the Universal Church together with the Pope. As Goans, this is another opportunity to contribute to the Universal Church. Fernandes said, we need to pray for them and cooperate in every possible way to help them in discharging their duties.
Cardinal Ferrao and Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad and the first oppressed to be appointed cardinals, are among 20 new cardinals from around the world who, along with other cardinals, are now the Pope’s primary allies. He has increased the number of cardinals in India to six.
The solemn ceremony, known as a conciliary for the creation of cardinals, was witnessed for the first time by a dozen clergymen traveling from Goa, as well as members of Pharao’s family who flew to Rome from India and around the world. .
Thousands of other believers watched the ceremony livestream.
The cardinal-nominees took the ‘Oath of Obedience’, after which Pope Francis awarded each a biretta (red cap), the cardinal ring, and assigned them their title and rank. Pope Francis was seen engaging in a brief private dialogue with each of the new cardinals after conferring the title.
“The archdiocese experienced moments of prayer, joy and pride as its own archbishop Philippe Neri Ferrao was made cardinal by Pope Francis. The archdiocese is the first cardinal in their 465-year history,” said of the Diocesan Center for Social Communications Media. Director, Father Barry Cardozo said.
In other parts of Goa, churches held prayer services and offered prayers for the new cardinal during Mass.
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