The Representative of the Pope in India, Apostolic Nuncio Pedro Lopez Quintana, was in Goa on a day's visit, in order to preside over a historical Mass of Reconciliation in the Pilar Seminary Chapel, on Thursday, November 30, 2006.
The Holy Mass celebrated the healing of a long standing division and the ensuing unity of the Society of Pilar, which was formally declared by Archbishop Quintana, to a long and loud applause from all those present in the Chapel, including Archbishop Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman; former Patriarch, Archbishop Raul Gonsalves; Archbishop Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Designate of Bombay and Facilitator appointed by the Vatican; Most Rev. Stanislaus Fernandes, Archbishop of Ahmedabad and President of the Western Region Bishops' Council and Bishops Agnelo Gracias, Percival Fernandez and Ferdinand Fonseca of Mumbai. Also present were the Superior General of the Society of Pilar, Fr. Tony Lopes, the members of the General Administration, the four Provincial Superiors and representatives, the "Ashram Fathers," and a great number of Pilar Fathers as well as Priests, Religious and Laity from the Archdiocese of Goa. It may be recalled that, way back in 1977, a group of Pilar priests, having their headquarters at Fr. Agnel Ashram, in Mumbai, broke away from the parent Society in Pilar, Goa. In a few years' time, they opened their Agnel Ashram branch in Verna, Goa. The Vatican took a keen interest in resolving the dispute and twice earlier appointed Apostolic Visitators (Facilitators) for the purpose. The Archbishops of Goa and Bombay also made special efforts at resolving the issue, particularly in 1989. While these efforts resulted in much progress, an intensive attempt began with Cardinal Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, taking a special interest in the case and appointing Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Agra, as Apostolic Visitator (Facilitator) in 2002. Cardinal Ivan Dias, recently appointed by the Pope as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, took a personal interest in the matter and gave specific directions, which resulted in the resolving of all outstanding issues. Speaking on the occasion, the Pope's Representative, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, declared the unity in the Society of Pilar. Quoting from the Book of Psalms (Holy Bible), he expressed the sentiments for the occasion: "How good, how delightful it is for all to live together like brothers!" (Ps. 133). He then added: "These words express not only a wish for the future, but a state that has already been attained. I am happy and privileged to be here with you, my dear brothers, at this historic moment of your Congregation." He conveyed to the large gathering the "warm greetings and wishes from the Holy Father, as well as his special Apostolic Blessing on all members of the Society of Pilar." Others who spoke at the end of the Mass included Archbishop Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, Fr. Tony Lopes, the Superior General of the Society and Fr. Bento Rodrigues, in the name of the former "Ashram Fathers." (ENDS) Photo @ http://www.goanet.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------
