Fr. Caetano Fernandes

  • Country: India
  • Cohort: VII

Caetano Fernandes lives in a society where there is a need of mutual acceptance of others, Goa being a state in India with 26% of Catholics and India being a country which comprises of less than 3% of Christians. He lives in a land dominated by other religions, such as Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism; therefore, a healthy interaction with people of different religions came naturally from an early age. Later on the Archbishop of Goa and Daman appointed him as a member of the Committee for the Apostolate of Inter-religious Dialogue in 2008 and then as the Convenor of the same Committee in 2013. As the Convenor, Caetano worked to sow seeds of harmony, peace and justice by organizing inter-religious meetings at the diocesan level and celebrating various festivals such as Christmas, Eid and Diwali.

Currently, Fr. Caetano is a Pastor at Holy family Church, Porvorim of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, India. Also in-charge of the Apostolate of Ecumenism in the diocese with an appointed team; member of the committee of the interreligious dialogue. Besides he teaches “Ecumenism and Dialogue” course in the major seminary.

Educational Background includes: Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa, India, 2009; Bachelor in Theology, Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, Goa, India, 2000; Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa, India, 1996; Preparatory Course in Orientation to Priesthood, Seminary of Our Lady Saligao-Pilerne, Goa, India, 1991