Mumbai: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Stephen Eustace Victor Fernandes as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay. He was also named Titular Bishop of Abbir Maius. At 64, Fr. Fernandes currently serves as Secretary to Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, at the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi.

Born on September 20, 1961, in Mumbai, Fr. Fernandes completed his schooling at Our Lady of Salvation High School in Dadar and Don Bosco High School in Matunga. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Bombay on March 31, 1990. In 2000, he earned a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome.

Over the years, Fr. Fernandes has held several key positions within the Church. He has served as Secretary of the Archdiocesan Priests Council, member of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, professor of Ethics and Moral Theology at St. Pius X College, Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Doctrine and Theology, and advisor to Catholic medical and nursing organizations. He has also represented India in the Baptist–Catholic Dialogue of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) announced his appointment on October 25, 2025, extending prayers and best wishes to the Bishop-designate. This appointment comes alongside other recent changes in the Archdiocese of Bombay, including the appointment of Fr. Antony Kattiparambil as the new Bishop of Cochin.

With his rich experience in theological education, Church administration, and interfaith dialogue, Fr. Fernandes is expected to play a key role in addressing the pastoral and doctrinal needs of the Archdiocese of Bombay.