Led by the substitute of the Secretariat of State Mons. Peña Parra, the Vatican delegation has joined the millions of pilgrims who will pay tribute to the relics of Saint Francis Xavier until January 5. The organizer of papal trips, the new Cardinal Koovakad, is also part of it. “The Pope has India and Asia in his heart.” Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai’s tribute to the service of Christian schools.
Goa () – A delegation of nine representatives from the Vatican is currently in Goa to attend the decennial exhibition of the relics of Saint Francis Xavier that began last week. It is headed by Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, substitute of the Secretariat of State, along with two prelates that Pope Francis will create cardinals in the consistory on December 7: the Indian bishop George Koovakad, coordinator of apostolic journeys, and the Lithuanian archbishop Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of the Roman basilica of Santa María Maggiore.
Monsignor Peña Parra expressed his joy at this celebration that will attract millions of pilgrims to Goa until January 5. “I bring you the blessing and greetings of Pope Francis – he said -. When I was with him, he asked me to greet you, the Church and the government.” Referring to the presence of Cardinal-designate Koovakad, he added: “We are happy that the Holy Father has India in his heart. He has Asia in its heart. We know that the future of the world and the future of the Church passes through India, through Asia and through these people.”
Regarding the message conveyed by the exhibition, Bishop Peña Parra explained that “loving God means loving others.” Then, recalling the invaluable legacy of the apostolate of St. Francis Xavier, he observed that his testimony remains alive both in Goa and throughout Asia.
Accompanied by the Archbishop of Goa and Darman, card. Filipe Neri Ferrão, and the auxiliary bishop Mons. Simão Purificação Fernandes, the Vatican delegation was also received by Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, who highlighted the harmonious collaboration between the government and the Church in the organization of the event. At this time in the world – stated the substitute of the Vatican Secretariat of State – it is “necessary to strengthen dialogue and invest in communication between communities. The authorities and the Church must make an effort to dialogue with each other and that is the best way to unite the people and the country”.
For his part, Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai praised the role played by the Church in the education sector. “I studied in a Christian school in Kerala – he recalled -. “I can say that if Kerala is a State that has achieved 100% literacy in India, it is above all thanks to the contribution offered by missionaries and Christian schools.”
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