Pune Bishop Rodrigues appointed successor to Archbishop Oswald Gracias
By Camil Parkhe
Pune, 1st December 2024: Pope Francis has appointed Pune Bishop John Rodrigues (57) as coadjutor bishop of the Archdiocese of Mumbai. The appointment was announced in Vatican City and in Mumbai on Saturday, November 30, afternoon.
According to the Canon Law which governs the Catholic Church, “A coadjutor bishop possesses the right of succession.”
Thus, Bishop John Rodrigues will succeed archbishop Oswald Gracias when he will retire after completing 80 years.
Bishop Rodrigues will take charge as the coadjutor bishop of Mumbai archdiocese on January 25, 2025. Bishop Rodrigues will reside at the Archbishop’s House in Mumbai.
Bishop John Rodrigues is well-acquainted with the Archdiocese of Bombay. He was born on August 21, 1967. He completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology at St. Pius X College, Goregaon, Mumbai. He holds a bachelor’s degree in science (Physics) from Mumbai University and a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome.
Rodrigues was ordained a priest on April 18, 1998, for the Mumbai Archdiocese. He was the assistant parish priest at St. Michael’s in Mahim (1998-1999); Secretary to the Archbishop of Bombay (1999-2000); Professor of Dogmatic Theology (2002-2013) and Dean of Studies (2011-2013) at St. Pius X College, Goregaon.
He was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay on May 15, 2013, and ordained Bishop on June 29, 2013. He was transferred to the Diocese of Poona on March 25, 2023 a post he has held for the past one and half years.
The Mumbai Archdiocese welcomes Bishop John and assures him of prayers, a statement issued by the Mumbai Archdiocese has stated.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias (79) is one of the senior-most cardinals in the Catholic Church hierarchy in the world. He is one of the advisors of Pope Francis and has also been president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI).
Fr. Roque Alfonso, Vicar General of Pune Diocese, has said that the elevation of bishop Rodrigues has been welcomed by the clergy and the laity in the diocese with joy.
