Archdiocese gets three new canons, number rises to 12

Panaji: Three new canons were installed by Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, to the 492-year-old Cathedral chapter — the only existing one in the whole of Asia — as the number went up to 12 for the first time in several decades.

The solemn installation ceremony was held at Se Cathedral, Old Goa, and three priests of the archdiocese — Fr Antonio (Tony) F Salema, Fr Walter D’Sa and Fr Leonardo Pegado e Souza — were elevated to the key posts on Monday.

After Goa became a diocese, the Cathedral chapter had been set up by Apostolic See in 1534 through the bull, ‘Aequum Reputamus’.

At one stage, the chapter had 30 canons. But their number kept dwindling and reduced to just five, of which only three were active.

The Goa archdiocese had then appointed six more on Nov 24, 2019, in a bid to rejuvenate the institution.

After 2019, the strength of the Cathedral chapter had risen to 11 but during intervening years, two elderly canons passed away. But now with three new ones installed to the chapter, their number has grown to 12.

On Monday, the archbishop gave the three new canons the mandate to exercise their functions in a brief ceremony. He also took part in the Eucharistic service.

Canon Rosario Oliveira, secretary of Cathedral chapter, read out the official decree of appointment.

The canons figure in an advisory role to the archbishop in spiritual and administrative matters. They are senior priests with noteworthy record of service and also feature prominently in a unique 450-odd year-old tradition of ‘Procession of Tails’ during Good Friday commemoration at Se Cathedral every year.

Devotees flock to Old Goa on Good Friday to see this procession, popularly known as ‘Xempddeachem Pursanv’. It is also considered the Day of Canons as they wear flowing gowns with tails.
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