Pope appoints new Bishop of Krishnagar, India

By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday appointed Father Nirmol Vincent Gomes SDB as the new Bishop of Krishnagar, some 10 kilometres north of the West Bengal state capital Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). 

Father Gomes was born on 8 February 1959 in Ranaghat, in the Diocese of Krishnagar. After entering the minor seminary of the Salesians of Don Bosco at Bandel as an aspirant, he completed his novitiate at Sunnyside, Shillong.

He carried out his studies in philosophy in Sonada, Darjeeling, and pursued his theological studies at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome, where he was awarded a doctorate in the science of education. He made his religious vows as a Salesian of Don Bosco (SDB) on 24 May 1979. He was ordained a priest on 22 July 1989, in his native town of Ranaghat.

Father Nirmol, 53, holds a licentiate in pedagogy (1988-1991) and a doctorate in pedagogical science (1997-2000) from the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS).  

In his ministry, he has been entrusted with the following responsibilities:

1991-1997: Dean of studies at Salesian College, Sonada

2000-2006: Rector of Salesian College, Sonada

2007-2009: Don Bosco School, Krishnagar

2009-2010: Assistant parish priest in Bongaon

2010-2013: Vice-Rector of Don Bosco School, Siliguri

2013-2014: Rector of Don Bosco School, Siliguri

2014-2020: Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco of Kolkata Province

2020-now : Assistant director of novices and Vice-Rector of the Nazareth Bhawan Novitiate, Dhajea, Darjeeling

Krishnagar Diocese is one of the 7 suffragans of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Calcutta.