Benaulim, Goa, January 3, 2024 (CCBI): On January 3, 2024, Fr. Vijay Kumar Machado, hailing from the diocese of Mangalore, installed as the Executive Secretary to the CCBI Commission for Catechetics at Shanti Sadan, CCBI Secretariat Extension in Benaulim, Goa. The installation took place during a prayer service presided over by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, President of CCBI, where Fr. Machado pledged the prayer of promise to his commitment to the position.
The outgoing Executive Secretary, Fr. Duming Gonsalves, was acknowledged for his eight years of dedicated service to the Commission, particularly for his instrumental role in crafting the Value Education Textbooks, Adult Catechism, and Directory for Lay Catechists. Despite stepping down from the Executive Secretary role, Fr. Duming Gonsalves will continue to serve as the Administrator of Shanti Sadan.
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Fr. Vijay Machado’s appointment was made during the 92nd Executive Committee meeting of the CCBI held on September 21–22, 2023, in Bangalore. Born on September 8, 1976, in the parish of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle, Udupi, Karnataka, Fr. Machado was ordained a priest on April 21, 2005, for the diocese of Mangalore. His academic background includes B.Ph and B.Th from St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore, a B.Sc. from Mangalore University, and an M.Sc. in Botany from Kuvempu University, Shimoga. Fr. Machado also holds an M.Th. in Catechetics from Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore, affiliated with Pontifical Salesian University, Rome, and a diploma in catechetical formation for youngsters from the Youcat Foundation, Germany. He has served the Mangalore diocese in various capacities, including assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Queen of the Universe Parish, Ranipura (2005-2006); Immaculate Conception Parish, Ladyhill, Urwa (2006-2008); Assist Director, Pastoral Centre (2011-2012); and Assist Director, DBCLC – Mangala Jyothi (2012-2014). Since 2015, Fr. Machado has been the Executive Secretary of the Regional Commission for Liturgy in Konkani, covering Mangalore, Udupi, Karwar, Belgum, Sindhudurg dioceses, and Goa Archdiocese. Notably, he was a core team member of the CCBI Value Education Textbook Series and the translator of Communio videos into Konkani in Kannada script.
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Fr. Duming Gonsalves, born on September 22, 1973, in Madgeri, Karnataka, undertook his school studies at Ave Maria High School in Sirsi before joining the Indore diocesan minor seminary. He pursued philosophy at Jnana Deep Vidya Peed, Pune, and theology at Khrist Premalaya, Ashta. Ordained on May 5, 2006, for the diocese of Indore, Fr. Duming holds a Master’s in theology with specialization in Catechetics from Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore. His pastoral roles include serving as an assistant parish priest at St. Francis Assisi Cathedral and St. Theresa’s Church Pushpanagar, and later as parish priest at Nirmal Rudai Church, Khategaon, and St. Joseph Church, Nandanagar. Fr. Gonsalves also contributed to the diocese of Indore as the manager of St. Joseph School, Nandanagar, Indore, Dean of Indore diocesan deanery, and Director of the Commission for Catechetics of the Indore diocese.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI