Bangalore 31 December 2022 (CCBI): Pope Francis, has appointed Reverend Father Sebastiäo Mascarenhas, S.F.X. (63), former Superior General of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier (Pilar Fathers), as Bishop of Baroda. This provision was made public in Rome on Saturday, 31st December 2022.
Fr. Sebastiäo Mascarenhas, S.F.X., was born on 29.07.1959 in Camurlim, Salcete, in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. His mother tongue is Konkani. He studied at Fr. Agnel High School, Pilar, Goa, then completed his B.A. in English Literature and Economics from St. Francis de Sales College, Nagpur. He studied philosophy at St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur (1976-1979) and theology at All India Mission Seminary, Pilar, Goa (1980-1984).
He obtained a Licentiate in Missiology in 1994 from Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule, Sankt Augustin, Germany, and a Doctorate in Systematic Theology from the University of Freiburg, Germany (2000). He did his first profession in the Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier (Pilar) on 20.06.1976, and was ordained priest on 06.05.1984 in Pilar, Goa. He served as Assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of Velankani Church, Vapi and Principal, Mother of Hope School, Vapi, Gujarat (1984-1988); later, he served as Assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of Piety Church, Silvassa and Principal, Fr. Agnel High School, Silvassa (1988-1990), Chaplain in Shelti, Nagar Haveli (1990-1992). Then he went for higher studies in Germany (1992-1994).
On his return, he was appointed Chaplain in Dudhni, Nagar Haveli and Principal, St. Xavier’s School; Visiting Professor, Mission Seminary, Pilar, Goa (1994-1996). From 1996 to 2000, he pursued his Doctorate in Systematic Theology, in Germany. From 2000 to 2002, he was Animator and Professor at Mission Seminary, Pilar, Goa, then Rector, Mission Seminary, Pilar, Goa (2002-2009), Provincial Superior of Mumbai Province (2009-2012), Superior of Daman Mission (2013-2017) and Superior General of the Society of Pilar (2017- August 2022).
Bishop designate Sebastiäo Mascarenhas is the brother of Most Rev. Theodore Macarenhas the Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi and the Apostolic Administrator of Daltonganj.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI