Lester DeMello Elected Chairman of India's World Apostolate of Fatima

Pilar, Goa, July 18, 2026: The World Apostolate of Fatima in India has elected Mr. Lester DeMello of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman as Chairman of its Indian National Council during the 12th Indian National Meet held from July 15 to 17 at the Pilar Pilgrim Centre, Goa.

The election, conducted under the presidency of Bishop Fulgence Tigga of Raiganj, brought together bishops, priests, religious and authorised lay delegates from across the country. DeMello succeeds Fr. M. V. Sunny of the Diocese of Raiganj, whose tenure as National Chairman concluded with the meeting.

Held alongside the Second Goa Marian Congress, the national gathering centred on the theme, "Learn – Live – Spread the Message of Fatima in a Synodal Church." Delegates from 16 archdioceses and dioceses reflected on how the Marian message of Fatima can inspire renewed evangelisation and deepen the Church's synodal journey.

The newly elected National Council comprises Mr. Shelton George Pyster as Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Candida Shadab as Secretary, Dr. Celcio Dias as Treasurer, and Mrs. Clara Fernandes, Fr. Luis Kajar, Fr. John Charuvila, Fr. Edward Kerketta and Fr. M. V. Sunny as members. Representing different regions, rites and vocations within the Church, the Council reflects the collaborative leadership envisioned by the synodal process.

The three-day programme combined prayer, formation and pastoral planning. Delegates participated in daily Eucharistic celebrations, a Rosary Procession with the Indian National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima and the relics of Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto, formation sessions, testimonies, youth presentations, and the investiture of nearly 600 faithful with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

A key moment of the gathering was the pastoral exhortation by Auxiliary Bishop Simião Purificação Fernandes of Goa and Daman, who urged participants to "learn, live and spread" the Message of Fatima by fostering prayer, conversion and missionary discipleship within a synodal Church.

Delegates also engaged in a "Conversation in the Spirit," discerning practical ways of establishing the World Apostolate of Fatima in every parish of their dioceses and strengthening Marian devotion at the grassroots level.

The World Apostolate of Fatima, a Public International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right recognised by the Holy See, concluded the national meeting by reaffirming its commitment to extending the Message of Fatima to parishes, families and communities across India through prayer, formation and evangelisation.

By Catholic Connect Reporter