The
coat of arms, which has an Indian look and content, is inspired by the priest
Vincent Michael Concessao has been and the priest and bishop he hopes to be.
He is the earthenware diya (lamp), a poor man's light for God. His mission and
aspirations are the flame. His sacrifice is to be inferred from the oil that burns
out as it helps give light to others.
Archbishop Vincent is placed in the realities of the world around him, which is
represented by the globe. It is a broken world, yet is a mysterious way held
together by a cross symbol. The cross symbol itself is like a path going in four
directions and going around the globe. The four paths also represents the four
gospels, which contain the message of the Kingdom for the four Corners of the
world. His motto " To BEAR WITNESS TO THE LORD" naturally has both the outward
and circular movement.
The flame, which is seen in the fashion of the folded palms, ought to bring home
the message not only of welcome, availability and respect Archbishop Vincent has
for everyone he comes across, but also of personal prayer. The different strands
of flame indicate the multifaceted pastor: he is a social servant, he is an
organizer, he is a missionary and a visionary.
ARCHBISHOP VINCENT MICHAEL CONCESSAO : A Profile
Born on the 28th of September 1936 at Puthur in South Kanara of Karnataka State,
as the fifth child of Francis and Appoline Concessao, Vincent Michael has four
brothers and three sisters, now settled in different parts of India. His eldest
sister Gerosa who, along with his grandmother parents, was partly responsible
for his vacation, is a Religious in the Congregation of Bethany Sisters
Mangalore.
Vincent's father expired shortly after he joined the seminary. His mother too is
no more. She left for her reward about seven years ago.
The young Vincent was educated at St. Francis Xavier Primary School. Thereafter,
at St Philomena's Boys' High School, Puthur, Karnataka, completed his secondary
education. Perhaps inspired by the example of an uncle, who was a priest, he
joined St. Joseph's Seminary at Jeppu in Mangalore in 1961, and was, ordained on
the 4th December1961 in Mangalore. The young Fr. Vincent felt drawn towards the
North in view of the needs that he know had to be addressed.
An episode early in his life is recalling, as it reveals an important aspect of
his personality. A week before the young Vincent was to leave his house and to
commit himself to the service of the Church, he beloved after had a serious
stroke of paralysis. He was advised by many to defer his plans; but he would
not. He had set his hands to the plough, and would not turn back. This total
dedication to his vocation has characterized Archbishop Vincent ever since.
Reminiscing this event, the Archbishop observes: "Had I not taken the plunge
then, perhaps I would never have entered the orders. Of course, it was a painful
and very difficult decision. But, by god's grace, I was able to find my peace
and settle down in due course".
Fr. Vincent landed in Delhi in the year 1962 and took up his appointment as
Assistant Parish Priest in the cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Goldakkhana, New
Delhi, where he served for a period of 3 years. Immediately after this, he was
sent to Loyola University, Chicago, U.S.A., for his postgraduate studies in
Sociology. Having completed his Master's at Loyola and a summer course on
Development at the International Cody Institution in Canada, he returned to
Delhi.
Of the many fruitful areas of his involvement, Archbishop Vincent remembers with
particular gratification the work he did in the resettlement colonies of Delhi.
True to his character, he took up residence during this time ( 1977-85) in an
ordinary rented DDA Janata tenement at Madangir, identifying himself wholly with
the people he served. While he was still serving as Director of Social Action of
the Archdiocese of Delhi, now christened "Chetanalaya", he was given additional
charges as Rector of Pratiksha, the Residence of Delhi Major Seminarians
studying at the Vidyajyoti College of Theology. In the latter capacity he served
from 1985 to 1990. Thereafter he was called to the Cathedral of the Sacred
Heart, where he had first launched his pastoral ministry, and was appointed as
it Parish Priest. Two years later, he was elected to be the Vicar General of the
Archdiocese of Delhi. In 1995, he was elevated to the episcopate and was made
the auxiliary Bishop of Delhi and titular Bishop of mascula.
Father Vincent Concessao has been associated with many Church-related
organizations based in Delhi, such as Caritas India, Indo-German Social Service
Society(IGSSS) et cetera.
He was one of the earliest members on the Catholic Priests' Conference of India
(CPCI) and was later elected as its President, a post which he held until his
appointment as Bishop.
His Episcopal Ordination took place on the 1st of April 1995 on the grounds of
St. Columba's School, New Delhi. He chose "To BEAR WITNESS TO THE LORD" ashis
motto and his Coat of Arms (see below) indicates his involvement with the
people, being in the world and serving it by radiating Gospel values.
"Working among the poor" the Archbishop reminisced with deep emotion and fervour,
" has been a great experience. I have often been humbled by the generosity that
I came across among them, and have been struck by their awesome power to endure
privation and suffering without grumbling. It has left a permanent impression on
me.
The news of his appointment as Archbishop of Agra was announced on 26th November
1998. the installation took place on the 21st of January 1999 at the Cathedral
of the Immaculate Conception, Agra.
On the 28th of September 2000, while the entire Archdiocese of Delhi as at the
peak of its expectation of a worthy successor to the late Archbishop Alan de
Lastic, the Vatican announced that the new Shephered for the flock of Delhi
would be from among its own. Archbishop Vincent Michael Concessao was installed
as the Fifth Archbishop of Delhi on Sunday, the 19th of November 2000.