In Memoriam: Dom Jose Vieira Alvernaz
©Agnelo Gracias, Bombay. This page is to be amplified.
The Portuguese Archbishops and Patriarchs of Goa were, by and large, excepting Archbishop Brandao, all men of distinction who made their mark upon the territory they pastured. The last was the revered Dom Jose Vieira Alvernaz, Co-Adjutor Archbishop from 1951 to 1953 and Metropolitan Archbishop of Goa and Damao, Titular Archbishop of Cranganore, Primate of the East and Patriarch of the East Indies from 1953 till 1975.
His Excellency lived in exile from September 1962 onwards till his "resignation" in 1975.
In September 1962 His Excellency left Goa, soon after its occupation by the Indians.
Since then, His Excellency had lived in the Açores Islands, at 11, Rua da Santa Lucia, Angra do Heroismo, Terçeira, Açores, with a close associate, Padre Jose Maria das Neves, who was with him in Cochin from 1941 till 1951 and then accompanied him to Goa.
Dom Jose Alvernaz passed away in the Açores in 1986, news of which reached Goa many days later.
It would be in the fitness of things if Goans make a determined bid to have the mortal remains of this humble and illustrious prelate transferred from Angra do Heroismo to Goa and solemnly interred in the Cathedral of Santa Catarina in Old Goa.
©Agnelo Gracias