Bangalore 6 April 2024 (CCBI) His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Simião Purificação Fernandes (57), of the clergy of Goa and Daman Archdiocese, presently Director of St. Pius X Pastoral Institute as the Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman. This appointment was made public in Rome on Saturday 6th April 2024.
Fr Simião Purificação Fernandes was born on 21st December 1967, in Chandor, Goa. He was ordained a priest on May 10 1993, for the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. He studied Philosophy and Theology at Patriarchal Seminary, in Rachol. He obtained a License at Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and a Doctoral in Biblical Theology at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, in Pune.
After his priestly ordination, Rev. Simião Purificação Fernandes was Assistant of Aldona (1993-1996); Assistant Parish Priest in Taleigao (1996-1998); in charge of pastoral care at Parish of Sao Pedro (1996-1997); Parish Administrator of Parish of Holy Family, Marcela (2006-2013); External Professor of Scared Scripture in Patriarchal Seminary, Rachol (2005-2018); in charge of the Apostolate for Ecumenism (2006-2018).
Since 2018 until now he is Director of St. Pius X Pastoral Institute. Since 2021 until now he is Coordinator of ongoing formation of clergy, and since 2023 he is co – coordinator of the diocesan phase of the Synod in 2023. He is also the Director of Communio of Goa Archdiocese and under his able leadership, the Goa Archdiocesan Communio has successfully mobilized funds for the past three years, surpassing collections in any other diocese in India.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI