The Office bearers for 2023-24 are: Chairman: Robert Cutinha Vice Chairman 1: Antony Gonsalves Vice Chairman 2: Nigel Fernandes General Secretary: Leena Lobo Joint Secretary 1: Vincent W. D'Souza Joint Secretary 2: Antony E. Pinto Treasurer: Richard Misquith Legal Advisor: Anand Edward D'Souza Cultural Secretary: Sharon Rego Spiritual Director: Fr Francis Assisi Almeida Immediate Past Chairman: Silvian Noronha

Media Release Bangalore: The Federation of Konkan Catholic Association (FKCA), at its 25th Annual General Body Meeting, held at Konkan Samudhai Bhavan, Bengaluru on Sunday, August 7, 2022, re-elected Silvian Noronha as its Chairman. Silvian who is now the chairman for the fourth consecutive year will lead the FKCA into its Silver Jubilee Celebrations this year.

The other members elected as the office-bearers for 2022 – 2023: Vice Chairman 1: Robert Cutinha Vice Chairman 2: Hilma Roach General Secretary: Antony Gonsalves Joint Secretary 1: Vinod Prem Lobo Joint Secretary 2: Nigel Fernandes. Treasurer: Noel Sequeira Cultural Secretary: Anitha Gomes Legal Advisor: Anil Albert D’Souza Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Francis Assisi D’Almeida Immediate Past Chairman: Edward Anand D’Souza

The FKCA, was established as the apex body of all Konkani Catholic Associations to espouse the cause of the Konkani Catholics and fight for safeguarding the interests of the community, language and culture, and to represent the Konkani community at political and Government levels. It has grown to be a highly respected organization with as many as 33 Associations, including several from abroad affiliated to it.

The 25th AGM event commenced with the Holy Mass in Konkani celebrated by Rev Fr. Francis Assisi Almeida – the new Spiritual Director of FKCA. During the official deliberations of the AGM, Silvian Noronha, welcomed the gathering. He expressed his gratitude to the past chairpersons, office bearers of member associations, auditors, council members for their support during the year. A special word of appreciation was extended to Fr. Faustine Lobo for his immense contribution to FKCA in various ways over the past seven years as its spiritual director.

The minutes of the previous year’s AGM and the annual report were read out by the General Secretary Antony Gonsalves. The audited accounts for the year 2021-22 were placed before the members by Treasurer Noel Sequeira.

On the occasion Charles Gomes former Chairman of FKCA was felicitated for his immense contribution towards the Christian community, Konkani language, FKCA and other member associations. The awardee was introduced to the gathering by Edward Anand D’Souza. Addressing the gathering, Charles Gomes expressed his gratitude to FKCA. He recalled the initial days of FKCA and how it has grown from its humble beginnings to a vibrant organisation positively impacting the society in various ways.

He highlighted how the association grew over the years into a worldwide network. He made a passionate appeal for everyone to work together to build the Federation even further.

The chairman thanked the gathering and dissolved the 2021-22 Committee and welcomed the election officer Rev Fr Francis Assisi Almeida to conduct the election procedures. Rev Fr Francis Assisi Almeida read out the names of the nominations received. Since there was only one nomination for each post, the office bearers were elected unopposed.

The AGM concluded with a vote of thanks by General Secretary Antony Gonsalves. He thanked Rev Fr. Francis Assisi Almeida for celebrating the Holy Eucharist and officiating as Election Returning Officer; Konkan Welfare Trust (KWT) Chairman Sylvester D’Souza for offering the venue to conduct the AGM; choir group of KCA Mathikere; Crystal Caterers for the lunch; Koncab Association for their mass and hall arrangements. He also thanked all the members present for their support and participation. Fellowship lunch followed.

To mark the Silver Jubilee year of FKCA, the Federation donated Rs 50,000 to a poor family from the Konkani community for the construction of a house. The amount was handover to the family during the AGM.

The new committee will focus on advocacy and several social welfare initiatives for the community along with its 25th-year celebration