Guilherme Vaz, whose origins are in Velim in South Goa where his mother resides, has been reappointed by Pope Francis on the reconstituted and enlarged Vatican Pontifical Council for the Laity, Family and Life. This was announced in the Vatican on 6th October 2018. The new Pontifical Council enjoys competencies and functions that previously belonged to the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Academy for Life. For 10 years, Guilherme Vaz was a member of the erstwhile Pontifical Council for the Laity, first appointed by Pope Benedict XVI and continued under Pope Francis.
When contacted, Guilherme Vaz said: “The new Council on one hand concerns the apostolate of the laity, the institution of matrimony, and the reality of the family and of life, in the Church; and, on the other hand, regarding the human and social situation of the laity, of the young and of the family as an institution, and of life, in society as a whole. Members on the Council are engaged in different fields of activity and are from different parts of the world, reflecting the universal character of the Church.”
As the only Indian, with his exceptional simultaneous combination of outstanding Corporate, Academic, Government, International, Non-Governmental Organizations and Church Institutional experience, Guilherme Vaz is widely regarded among the most globally respected individuals in the social sector (Education, Health & Environment) with unique experience in large scale transformational change management, spread over 46 countries in all continents with diverse cultures and complexities.
A thought-leader and speaker, he has over 50 publications in internationally reputed journals and is closely involved, for over 40 years, with multiple international development agencies. His extraordinary transnational experience is drawn upon extensively across the globe.
In recognition of his exemplary and pre-eminent service to the Universal Church and the international community, in 2016 he was conferred with the Papal honour of Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great.
Asked for his reactions on this latest appointment, Guilherme Vaz said : “It is indeed a privilege and honour to serve the Universal Church where Indians, and Goans in particular, have made significant contribution over the years. For me, the last 10 years was an opportunity to learn, appreciate and contribute to the uniqueness of the Universal Church, with all its diversity, complexity and challenges, while remaining true to its Mission. That only 4 members appointed 10 years ago on the erstwhile Pontifical Council for the Laity now continue on the newly constituted Vatican Council for the Laity, Family and Life is very humbling. It also places a special responsibility in these challenging times where, as with every age, the joys and the hopes, the grief and the anxieties of all persons need to be specifically addressed”.