A true shephard, he championed cause of marginalised: Ferrao

Staff Reporter

Panaji

Pope Francis’ call to care for ‘Mother Earth’ was highly appreciated and sparked a global movement, said Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao.

Calling his demise an “immeasurable loss to the entire Church”, Ferrao said Francis was a true shepherd of God’s people, who dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel, championing the cause of the poor and of the marginalised, and calling the world to embrace compassion, justice and care for creation.

“As the spiritual leader of Catholics, he guided the Church with wisdom, humility and an open heart, always seeking to promote fellowship and striving to bring people closer to God. His unwavering commitment to the Church and his dynamic endeavours in promoting peace, inter-religious dialogue, social justice and care for creation will be long remembered and cherished. His untiring efforts to bring the Love of God to those on the peripheries, offering hope to the dejected and opening the healing face of the Church to the wounded, will go a long way in presenting
 the true Face of our Lord Jesus Christ. His vision to transform the Church into a synodal community, one that listens, discerns, journeys together and embraces inclusivity, has left an indelible mark on the Church at all levels,” said Ferrao who is also the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of lndia and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.

Ferrao called upon all dioceses, parishes, religious communities and families to observe nine days of mourning and to offer special prayers and requiem masses.

“Church bells should
be tolled to signify our sorrow and announce the passing away of our supreme Pontiff. Wherever possible and considering local circumstances, I urge all dioceses to gather priests, religious and lay faithful at the Cathedral, on a suitable day, to offer a requiem Mass,” he said.