Msgr Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza to Be Ordained Bishop of Udupi on April 20

Msgr Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza to Be Ordained Bishop of Udupi on April 20

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Feb 22, 2026: Msgr Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza will be ordained as the new Bishop of Udupi on April 20, 2026, at the historic Milagres Cathedral. He was appointed Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Udupi on January 31, 2026, by the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.

The solemn episcopal ordination and formal assumption of office will be held at Milagres Cathedral in the presence of cardinals, archbishops and over 30 bishops from dioceses across India. Numerous priests, religious sisters and lay faithful are expected to attend the ceremony.

Msgr D’Souza succeeds Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo. The Holy Father has accepted Bishop Lobo’s resignation and he will continue as apostolic administrator of the diocese until the new bishop formally assumes charge.

Born on August 19, 1962, in Yermal in the Diocese of Udupi, Msgr D’Souza completed his Bachelor of Arts through distance education from the University of Mysore. He studied philosophy at St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary in Mangaluru and pursued theological studies at the Pontifical Urbaniana University. He later obtained licentiate and doctoral degrees in moral theology from the Université Catholique de Louvain.

Ordained a priest on May 10, 1990, he was initially incardinated in the Diocese of Mangaluru before being transferred to the Diocese of Udupi.

Over the years, he has served in various capacities, including Assistant Parish Priest at Holy Rosary Church, Kundapur (1990–1992), and Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar, Mangaluru (1992–1995); Professor of Moral Theology at St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Mangaluru (2003–2010); Parish Priest at St John the Evangelist Church, Pangala (2010–2017); Our Lady of Rosary Church, Kallianpur (2017–2023); and since 2023, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, and Dean of Shirva Deanery.