Goa Bible Quiz on Pentateuch Concludes with Call to Let Scripture Transform Lives

Old Goa, August 30, 2026: Kathryn Maria Victoria Rego of Holy Cross Church, Santacruz, representing the Panaji Deanery, emerged as the winner of the diocesan-level Bible Quiz on the Pentateuch organised by the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

The final round was held at the St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa, on August 30, bringing together participants representing the 19 deaneries of the archdiocese and the Mission of Daman.

Neola Fernandes of Our Lady of Assumption Chapel, Guirim, representing the Mapusa Deanery, secured second place. Ezekiel Mascarenhas of Our Lady of Penha de France Church, Britona, representing the Aldona Deanery, finished third, while Joseph Agnelo Vaz of Holy Family Church, Marcela, representing the Old Goa Deanery, took fourth place.

The quiz, focusing on the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy—was conceptualised and initiated by the Western Regional Bible Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI). The competition was conducted in three stages at the parish, deanery and diocesan levels.

Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, congratulated the participants and called on them to allow the Word of God to shape and transform their lives.

In a video-recorded message, Cardinal Ferrão said that reaching the diocesan level was itself an achievement and a testimony to the participants' love for the Word of God.

He described the Bible Quiz as an important initiative to help young people discover and deepen their love for Scripture.

“You are not here merely to compete. You are here to read, to know and to discover God’s Word,” the cardinal said.

Referring to the Pentateuch, he reminded the participants that the five books reveal God's love, covenant and relationship with His people.

“Don’t study the Bible only for the quiz. Let the Bible study you. Let God’s Word transform the way you think, speak and live,” Cardinal Ferrão said.

Fr. Mariano D’Costa, former director of the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate and chief guest, said the quiz should not be seen merely as a competition testing knowledge of biblical names, places and events.

Biblical knowledge, he said, must lead to “wisdom, faith and action,” adding that “the greatest winner today should be the Word of God.”

Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman Simião Fernandes, who is also chairman of the CCBI’s Western Regional Bible Commission, conveyed his wishes to the participants.

Fr. Onasis D’Cruz, director of the Diocesan Centre for Biblical Apostolate, welcomed the gathering, while Fr. Ramiro Luis conducted the competition as quiz master.

The diocesan-level event marked the culmination of a wider Bible engagement initiative that sought to encourage young Catholics to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Scripture.

By Br. Malvino Alfonso