D. José Filipe do Carmo Colaço

Remembering Bishop Jose Colaço (1910- 1991) Jose Maria Miranda, Herald, Panjim, Goa. July 14, 2010

Since the advent of Christianity in this State, several priests from Goa brought great glory to the Catholic Church by their high integrity, devoted work to the community and tremendous spiritual zeal with which they guided their flock. It is no wonder therefore that right from the 17th century, Goans were elevated as Bishops and put in charge of various Dioceses and Archdioceses as also as Ambassadors of the Vatican, generally known as Nuncios, to various countries. While most of the Bishops and Archbishops, that Goa can be proud of, were not born in Goa, but had left their native place to serve in various dioceses in India, there were a few who were born and brought up in Goa and served in various distinguished and respectable positions in Goa. Among them was D. Jose Filipe do Carmo Colaco, whose birth centenary we celebrate today. D. Jose was born in Margao on 14th July 1910 to Adv. Serulino Colaco and Isabel de Santa Rita Vaz.

He belonged to the well known Colaco family from Margao and was the brother of the prominent physician, writer and speaker and former Member of Parliament, the late Dr. Antonio Colaco of revered memory. After completing his studies in Rachol, D. Jose was ordained priest on 22.9.1934 and later went to Rome where he did his Doctorate in Theology. On his return, he was appointed Professor of the Major Seminary of Rachol and later rose to become its Rector. Incidentally, we celebrate this year the 4th centenary of the foundation of this Seminary, which has given the Church of Goa, several talented and zealous priests. Recognizing his merits as an intelligent and competent Professor and his qualities S as a highly spiritual man, who had inspired many generations of priests, the Holy See appointed Fr. Jose Colaco, Bishop of Cape Verde, then a Portuguese colony in Africa. He was consecrated Bishop at Old Goa on 27th May 1956, where he served with great dedication and zeal for twenty years until he felt it wise and appropriate that he should hand over the reins of the diocese to a native of the place, where the civil administration had changed hands after the Portuguese Revolution of 1975. He voluntarily retired prematurely in 1976, returning back to his house in Margao. Those of my generation and those of the younger too, remember Bishop Colaco as a tall, handsome and simple priest immaculately robed in his white cassock taking his evening walk through the busy streets of Margao, that none would guess he was a Bishop. What endeared him to most of those who knew him was his unassuming and humble nature and his most aristocratic and yet approachable ways, ever ready to help and to serve. This enabled many of the Parishes in Goa to avail of his services for several religious functions, which he would readily accept to officiate, adding a special fervour and significance to the occasion with his august presence and inspiring and thought provoking homilies. D. Jose passed away suddenly on New Year's day in 1991.

Dr. Francisco Colaco, reputed cardiologist and a close family friend of the late Bishop says of him: "Many generations of priests admit they owe a great debt to this talented, extraordinary, imposing personality. In Cabo Verde, Dom Jose undaunted, through umpteen difficulties, nursed the budding Diocese through its teething troubles, until it found itself on even keel. Back in Goa, he carried out commendable apostolate reaching out to as many as possible. To me, he was more than a model priest; he was our guru, counselor and family friend. On his deathbed I had the privilege of being beside him. All he wanted was "peace" and "light". Soon he exhaled his last breath and flew out of sight to the place of "everlasting peace" and "eternal light".

"Extremely kind, thoughtful and generous" - is how Teresa Colaco Bruto da Costa describes her uncle. "He had a balanced mind and was very rational in his thinking. He was well versed in many fields and could talk to anyone on any subject. When people of all ages approached him for counseling, he was readily accessible to them. He was morally upright and a man of few wants"

Another nephew of the Bishop, Filipe Colaco who now lives in the family's ancestral house at Bernardo da Costa Road, Margao, having had it restored, keeping its beautiful antique look, remembers his uncle as an extremely kind, polite and a wonderful personality ¬ a man of sterling qualities, difficult to emulate. He says he remembers Archishop Raul Gonsalves and other priests coming to the house to seek his guidance. Filipe feels happy that he has been able to maintain the high traditions of the family with the support of his cousins and siblings, which is in fact a blessing from his ancestors, including his uncle D. Jose.

To me and our family, D. Jose was a revered figure, a close friend and neighbour who unfailingly would give us the privilege of officiating at all important religious functions of the family. To me in particular, he was a guide and counselor whom I held him in great esteem, respect and awe. In these few hurriedly written lines I pay my humble tribute to this prominent son of Goa, a great Bishop and above all an exemplary and true man of God.