Pope appoints new bishop in Mangalore, India

Pope Francis appointed Fr. Peter Paul Saldanha as the new Bishop of Mangalore, in southern India’s Karnataka state.

Pope Francis on Tuesday appointed a new bishop in Mangalore Diocese of southern India’s Karnataka state. Fr. Peter Paul Saldanha, the 54-year old professor of theology at the Pontifical Urban University of Rome, Italy, is the new Bishop of Mangalore.

He takes over from Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza, who has resigned having reached the canonical retirement age of 75 two years ago. Bishop D’Souza stepped down after heading the Diocese of Mangalore for 22 years.

Bishop-designate Peter Paul Saldanha was born on April 27, 1964, in Kinnigoli, belonging to Kirem Parish (Diocese of Mangalore). He studied philosophy and theology at St. Joseph's Interdiocesan Seminary at Jeppu, Mangalore. He obtained a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Urban University (Rome). He also has a diploma in depth psychology and training from the Institute of Formators in Bangalore. On May 6, 1991, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Mangalore.

After his priestly ordination he held the following positions:

· 1991-1992: Assistant parish priest of St. Lawrence's Parish, Moodubelle

· 1992-1994: Assistant parish priest of Our Lady of Miracles Parish, Milagres

· 1994-1996: Assistant parish priest of Our Lady of Dolours Parish, Vittal

· 1996-1999: Professor and formator at St. Joseph's Interdiocesan Seminary, Jeppu

· 1997-1999: Vice Rector of St. Joseph's Interdiocesan Seminary, Jeppu

· 1999-2005: Higher studies at the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, Italy

· 2005-2010: Professor at St. Joseph's Interdiocesan Seminary, Jeppu

· 2008-2010: Vice Rector of St. Joseph's Interdiocesan Seminary, Jeppu

· Since 2010: Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome

· 2011-2015: Assistant Spiritual Father at the Pontifical Urban College “de Propaganda Fide”, Rome

· Since 2015: Associate Professor of the Pontifical Urban University, Rome