The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed Rev. Fr Leslie Clifford D’Souza as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi, marking an important moment for the Catholic community in coastal Karnataka.
The appointment comes as the Holy Father accepted the resignation of Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Udupi, following years of dedicated episcopal service.
A son of the soil with global theological training
Born on August 19, 1962, in Yermal, within the Diocese of Udupi, Fr Leslie Clifford D’Souza is widely respected for his academic depth, pastoral sensitivity and commitment to moral theology. He completed his Bachelor of Arts through distance education from the University of Mysore.
He pursued philosophical studies at St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Mangaluru, and theological formation at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome. He later earned both a Licentiate and a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium, one of Europe’s most renowned Catholic universities.
Three decades of pastoral and academic service
Ordained a priest on May 10, 1990, Fr D’Souza was initially incardinated in the Diocese of Mangaluru and later in the Diocese of Udupi. Over the years, he has served the Church in diverse capacities.
His assignments include Assistant Parish Priest at Holy Rosary Church, Kundapur (1990–1992), Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar (1992–1995), and Professor of Moral Theology at St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Mangaluru (2003–2010).
He later served as Parish Priest at St John the Evangelist Church, Pangala (2010–2017), Our Lady of Rosary Church, Kallianpur (2017–2023), and since 2023 has been Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, also serving as Dean of the Shirva Deanery.
The appointment has been welcomed with joy across parishes in Udupi, with many expressing hope for continued pastoral care rooted in faith, scholarship and humility.