Bangalore 29 May, 2022 (CCBI): Pope Francis announced that Abp. Filipe Neri Ferrão (69), Metropolitan Archbishop of Goa and Daman and the President of the CCBI and Patriarch “ad honorem” of the East Indies will be elevated as Cardinal at a Consistory on Saturday, 27 August 2022. This announcement was made on 29 May 2022. Pope also announced 20 new other Cardinals from around the world. They represent the Church worldwide, and reflect a wide variety of cultures, contexts and pastoral ministries.
Archbishop Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão was born on 20 January 1953, in Aldona in Goa. He was ordained priest on 28 October 1979. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman at the age of 40, on 20 December, 1993. He was ordained Bishop 10 April 1994 and assigned the titular see Vanariona.
He was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Goa and Damão and the Patriarch “ad honorem” of the East Indies on 12 December, 2003. He was installed as the archbishop on 21 March, 2004. He also served the CCBI and CBCI as its Vice President. He is fluent in Konkani, English, Portuguese, Italian, French and German.
He was elected as the President of the CCBI at its 31st Plenary Assembly held in 2019, Chennai. He was the former Chairman of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) Office of Education and Faith Formation (OEFF).
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI