Media Release

Shivamogga, May 15: Bishop Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of diocese of Shimoga celebrated his decennial Episcopal Consecration at Sacred Heart Cathedral. 

Clergy, Religious and faithful of the diocese of Shimoga organised thanksgiving Holy Eucharist on May 14. Bishop Francis Serrao SJ concelebrated Holy Eucharist with Bishop Duming Dias of diocese of Karwar, archbishop Emeritus Leo Cornelio of archdiocese of Bhopal and clergy and religious priests of the diocese of Shimoga.

Bishop Duming Dias preached the homily based on pastoral motto of bishop Francis 'Service of Faith Fullness of Life'.

At the end of the Holy Eucharist, Fr Roman Pinto led the felicitation programme. Fr Veeresh Moras read the felicitation honours for the bishop. Monsignor Felix Joseph Noronha, vicar general, Fr Stephen Maxi Albuquerque, chancellor, Fr Biju Thomas, judicial vicar, Fr Ronald D'Cunha, procurator, Fr Veeresh Moras, PRO, Fr Roshan Pinto, director Sannidhi, Fr Stany D’Souza, parish priest of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shivamogga and PPC secretary Arogyaswamy felicitated bishop Francis Serrao SJ on behalf of the diocese.

Bishop Duming Dias, bishop of Karwar and archbishop Emeritus Leo Cornelio felicitated Bishop Francis Serrao SJ.

Bishop Francis Serrao SJ in his speech thanked God for his merciful love and guidance. He also thanked clergy, religious and faithful for their prayers and support in his pastoral ministry. On behalf of the diocese, Fr Stany D'Souza thanked everyone.

Bishop Francis Serrao was born on August 15, 1959 in Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, Bishop Francis is the youngest of the 11 children, 6 of them are priests - 2 diocesan, 2 SVDs, and two jesuits, and a sister a religious nun.

He was ordained a priest on April 30, 1992 and made his final vows in the society of jesus on May 1, 1999. He has had a wide-ranging experience in the social apostolate working among dalits and tribals in Anekal (Bangalore archdiocese) and Mundgod (Karwar diocese) mission stations. He has been teaching theology to the jesuit students of theology, preparing themselves for priesthood. He was the rector of the St Aloysius College, the 136-year-old institution in Mangaluru. It imparts education to over 11,000 students from the primary to doctoral studies.

On March 19, 2014 the Holy Father appointed Francis Serrao SJ as the bishop of the diocese of Shimoga. He was appointed as the third bishop of diocese of Shimoga and was ordained as bishop on May 7, 2014 by Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio of India, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga. 'Service of Faith Fullness of Life' is the pastoral motto of the bishop.