New Delhi: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza, presently the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi. The appointment marks a new chapter in the leadership of the coastal Karnataka diocese.
The Holy Father has simultaneously accepted the resignation of Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo, who stepped down from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Udupi after years of dedicated episcopal service. The transition signals continuity in pastoral care while entrusting the diocese to new leadership.
Fr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza was born on August 19, 1962, in Yermal, within the present Diocese of Udupi. His academic formation includes a Bachelor of Arts obtained through distance education from the University of Mysore. He pursued his philosophical studies at St. Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Mangalore, and later undertook theological studies at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome.
Further strengthening his academic and pastoral profile, Fr. D’Souza earned both a Licentiate and a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium, equipping him with deep expertise in theological ethics and pastoral discernment.
He was ordained a priest on May 10, 1990, and was initially incardinated in the Diocese of Mangalore, before later being incardinated into the Diocese of Udupi following its establishment. Over the decades, he has served the Church in a variety of pastoral and academic roles.
His priestly ministry began as Assistant Parish Priest at Holy Rosary Church, Kundapur (1990–1992), followed by a similar role at Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar, Mangalore (1992–1995). He later contributed significantly to priestly formation as Professor of Moral Theology at St. Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Mangalore (2003–2010).
Fr. D’Souza also brought his pastoral experience to parish leadership, serving as Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pangala (2010–2017), and later at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Kallianpur (2017–2023). Since 2023, he has been serving as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, while also holding responsibility as Dean of the Shirva Deanery.
With his appointment as Bishop, Fr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza brings to the Diocese of Udupi a blend of academic depth, pastoral experience, and long-standing familiarity with the local Church. The faithful of the diocese now look forward to his episcopal ministry as he prepares to shepherd the community entrusted to his care.