OFFICIAL — I
BISHOP BOSCO PENHA
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of Bishop Bosco Penha as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay on January 14, 2012, submitted in accordance with Canon 401. Ordained as Bishop on August 8, 1987, Bishop Bosco has served the Archdiocese with great dedication and generosity, under the leadership of three Archbishops: Cardinal Simon Pimenta, Cardinal Ivan Dias and myself for the last five years. His contribution to this Archdiocese – and indeed to the whole Indian Church – especially for the Small Christian Communities and the Lay Apostolate, are well-known and much appreciated. He has visited many dioceses in India to start and encourage the Small Christian Communities model for parishes. He was also largely responsible for setting up the Women’s Desk at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. Besides being an inspiring Zonal Bishop, he also coordinated the Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical apostolates in the Archdiocese. For me, Bishop Bosco has been an invaluable advisor with his grassroots knowledge of the Archdiocese, especially through the Small Christian Communities, his keen insight into knotty issues, and his courageous handling of challenging situations.
I want to express deep gratitude on behalf of the Bishops, Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese of Bombay to Bishop Bosco for his shepherding role over the last twenty-four years.
Even though Bishop Bosco retires as Auxiliary Bishop, I am sure he will continue to serve the Archdiocese in different ways for many, many years.
+Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay
January 14, 2012
OFFICIAL — II
In view of the acceptance by the Holy Father of Bishop Bosco Penha’s resignation as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay, I am making the following arrangements to ensure a smooth transition. These arrangements take immediate effect and will continue till May 31, 2012.
Bishop Bosco is delegated the faculties needed to continue being In-charge of the different Departments he has headed. Further :
1. Bishop Agnelo Gracias, while continuing as Rector of the Archdiocesan Seminary, will also be the Zonal Bishop of Navi Mumbai and Raigad Deaneries.
2. Bishop Bosco Penha, while continuing to be in-charge of the Small Christian Communities and the Lay Apostolate (and other offices as mentioned above), will be the Zonal Bishop of North Mumbai, South Mumbai, Bandra and Bhayandar Deaneries.
3. Bishop Percival Fernandez will be Episcopal Vicar for Religious and for the Health Apostolate of the Archdiocese (including building up of the Corpus for medical assistance).
4. Fr Salvador Rodrigues to be Episcopal Vicar with charge of the Zone comprising the deaneries of Central Suburbs, Andheri and Borivli.
5. Fr Allwyn D’Silva to be Episcopal Vicar with charge of the Zone comprising the deaneries of Thane and Kurla.
The Episcopal Vicars have the faculty of giving permissions, granting leave, etc. as hitherto given by the Zonal Bishops (this does not include granting of marriage dispensations which should continue to be referred to Archbishop’s House).
+ Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay
January 14, 2012
OFFICIAL — III
As I retire as the Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, I wish to thank the Archbishops, the Bishops, the Clergy, the Religious and the Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese for having been very supportive during the years I was Bishop. I cannot imagine how I would have been able to carry out the many duties entrusted to me without this whole-hearted support. My sincere gratitude to each one of you.
+ Bishop Bosco Penha
Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay
January 14, 2012
