Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on 16 January 2008, appointed Rev. Felix Anthony Machado of the clergy of Vasai, until now under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Bishop of Nashik (India) with the personal title of Archbishop.
Mgr Felix Anthony Machado was born on 6 June 1948, in the parish of Remedy, then archdiocese of Bombay (India). He attended St. Thomas High School in Deotalao before studying philosophy at St. Pius X Seminary, Goregaon, Bombay (1966-1969), and theology at the Catholic University of Lyons, France (1972-1976). While in France, in 1970 he spent seven years with the Community of Taizé. He was ordained a priest on 30 October 1976 at first for the archdiocese of Bombay; and then for the new diocese of Vasai when it was created in 1998. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: assistant priest at St. Francis Xavier Church, Giriz, Vasai (1976-1977), chaplain at Hosftra University New York, USA (1980-1984), Professor of dogmatic theology and world religions at Bombay diocesan seminary (1985-1993). Between 1977 and 1984 he studied at Maryknoll School of Theology in New York obtaining an MA in theology, and then at the University of Fordham for a doctorate in philosophy. Since 2000 he has been under secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
The diocese of Nashik, suffragan of the archdiocese of Poona, was created in 1987. It has an area of 57,532sq km and a population of 20,295,000 including 86,750 Catholics, gathered in 33 parishes assisted by 33 diocesan priests and 78 religious priests, 141 brothers, 265 sisters, and there are 6 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 16/1/2008; Righe 22; Parole 286)
