Panaji: The news that Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Sebastiao Mascarenhas, from the Society of Pilar, as the new Bishop of Baroda has filled the religious order with great joy.
Fr. Sebastiao has been an outstanding member of the Society of Pilar, having served his Society and the Church in various important ministries, such as Professor and Rector at the All India Mission Seminary at Pilar, Provincial Superior of the Mumbai Province of the Society of Pilar, Superior of the Mission of Daman of this Archdiocese and, finally, as the Superior General of the Society of Pilar. In all these capacities he showed a keen sense of responsibility, serenity and wisdom while dealing with problems and with people.
“In the name of the Church in Goa and Daman and in my own name, I extend warm congratulations to Fr Sebastiao on this new and challenging appointment at the service of the Church and I wish him choicest blessings from God in the carrying out of his new mission. He now joins his brother, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, in the episcopal service of the Universal Church. Hearty congratulations!,” said His Eminence Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, the President of the CCBI.
On Saturday, Pope Francis 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.
Fr. Sebastiäo Mascarenhas, S.F.X., was born on July 29, 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.