An illustrious son of Goa
by Zito Almeida The Archbishop of Bombay, Rev Oswald Gracias, has been appointed Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI, on October 14. Rev Oswald Gracias is the tenth Cardinal of India and the fourth Cardinal from Goa, after the late Valerian Cardinal Gracias, late Joseph Cardinal Cordeiro and Ivan Cardinal Dias, Perfect of the Congregation of the Evangelisation of Peoples, Rome. Oswald Gracias was born on December 24, 1944 at Mahim, Mumbai to Ms Aduzinda and Mr Jervis Gracias, originally from Orlim, Salcete, Goa. He studied at St Michaels High School, Mahim and he did his priestly studies at St Pius X Seminary, Goregaon, Mumbai. He was ordained as priest on December 20, 1970. In 1971, Fr Oswald first appointment was as secretary and afterwards as chancellor of the diocese of Jhamshedpur, where he worked up to 1976. He did his BA in sociology and political science at St Xaviers College, Ranchi. In 1977, Fr Oswald was sent to Rome, where he obtained his Doctorate in Canon Law from the Urban University, Rome and received a diploma in Jurisprudence from the Gregorian University, Rome. Rev Oswald Gracias returned from Rome in 1982 and was appointed secretary to the Archbishop of Bombay 91982-1986) followed by chancellor (1982-1997) and judicial vicar for ten years (1988-1998) His other assignments were: from 1987 to 1991 and from 1993 to 1997 president, Canon Law Society of India. From 1988 to 1998, he was consultor, CCBI Canon Law Commission and from 1990 to 1995 he was consultor, Doctrinal Commission, Catholic Bishops Conference of India, and in 1996 he was consultor, Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Rome and in 1996 he was consultor, Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Rome . On June 28, 1997, Rev Oswald Gracias was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay Archdiocese and his episcopal ordination took place on September 16, 1997 at St Michaels Church, Mahim. From 1998 to 2000 Rev Oswald Gracias was the vicar-general of the Archdiocese of Bombay and from 1998 to 2002 he was the secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops Confrerence of India. From 1998 to 2005 he was the chairman, CCBI Commission for Legislative Texts. On September 7, 2000, Rev Oswald Gracias was appointed Archbishop of Agra and he was installed on November 23, 2000. In 2001, Rev Oswald Gracias was appointed vice-chairman, Vox Clara Committee, Congregation of Sacraments, Rome. In 2002 he was the chairman, CBCI Commission for Social Communications and Chairman NISCORT and chairman, CBCI Commission for Law and Public interest Litigation. From 2005, Rev Oswald Gracias was the president, Conference of Catholics Bishops of India. Rev Oswald gracias, was appointed Archbishop of Bombay, as a successor Rev Ivan Cardinal Dias, who was appointed Prefect of the Pontifical Congregation for the Evangelisaiton of Peoples, on October 14, 2006 and was installed as Archbishop of Bombay on December 14, 2006. We wish and congratulate our illustrious son of Goa, Rev Oswald Gracias - who will be created Cardinal at the consistory that will be convened on November 24 at the Vatican, during which a formal assent of all the cardinals present at the ceremony will be given and each new Cardinal will receive the Red Hat from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI - a fruitful Episcopal Apostolate with good health and long life. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=10306 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
