Mumbai December 30, 2023: Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Bernad Lancy Pinto (60) as the Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Aurangabad.
Bishop Barthol Barretto (62), the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay is appointed as the Bishop of diocese of Nasik in Maharashtra
Fr Bernard Lancy Pinto, the Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Born On 20th August 1963
Place of Birth: Diva, Thane District, Maharashtra
Ordinated a priest on 16th January 1993
Fr. Bernard Lancy Pinto: A Life Dedicated to Service
Fr. Bernard Lancy Pinto, born on 20th August and Ordained a priest on the 16th of January, began his priestly ministry as Asst. Parish Priest, St. Jude Church, Jeri Meri (1993-1996), Resident Priest, Our Lady of Gloria Church, Byculla (1996-1999), Chaplain to Young Christian Workers, Mumbai (1996-2007), Assistant Director, Joseph Cardijn Technical School, Dadar (1997-2007), Parish Priest, St. Antony Church, Saki Naka (1999-2005), Parish Priest, Our Lady of Dolours Church, Sonapur (2005-2010), and Member, Employment and Conciliation Code, Bombay since (2005). He was Parish Priest, St. Anthony Church, Dharavi (2010-2014), Secretary, Coordinator of Federation of Community Centre, Bombay since (2013), and the Chairperson, Justice and Peace Commission (2016). He was Parish Priest, St. Jude Church, Jeri Meri (2014-2018), Dean, Kurla Denary, Bombay (2015-2018), Parish Priest, St. Michael, Mahim, Mumbai since 2018 and Dean, North Mumbai Deanery and President, Conference of Diocesan Priests, Bombay from 2021.
Fr. Lancy has held various positions and served on numerous commissions within the Archdiocese of Bombay. His involvement includes being a member of the Employment Reconciliation Board and subsequently serving as the Chairperson of the Board. His deep engagement with Christian workers is evident through his role as the ecclesial adviser to the Christian Workers Movement and the Young Christian Worker Movement. Fr. Lancy Pinto’s passion for the marginalized is further reflected in his service to the Federation for Centres for Community Organization and the Justice and Peace Commission.
He is a priest known for his unwavering commitment to serving the poor and marginalized. Having completed is bachelor’s in science he joined the diocesan Seminary. He was ordained on January 16, 1993. Fr. Lancy Pinto's early experiences in the slums of Mumbai helped shape his deep understanding of the challenges faced by those on the margins of society.
During his formative years, Fr. Lancy participated in an exchange program of the worker priest movement in France, further fuelling his dedication to understanding and addressing the difficulties encountered by the common people.
Bishop Barthol Barretto (62), the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay is appointed as the Bishop of diocese of Nasik in Maharashtra
Date of Birth: 16th September 1961
Place of Birth: Amboli, Mumbai
Ordained Priest: 8th April 1989
Bishop Barthol Barretto who has as his Motto, “Love in Action,” with the image of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.
Ordained a Priest on the 8th of Aprils 1989 Fr. Barthol served as an Assistant, St. Francis Xavier Church, Dabul from 1989 to 1993. He was then appointed as Additional Director, Youth Section of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Bandra from 1993 to 1995.
In 1995 to 1999 - Director, Youth Section of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Bandra. From 1999 to 2002 - Priest in-charge, St. Francis Xavier Parish Unit, Panvel. In 2002 to 2004 - Parish Priest, St. Lawrence Parish at Wagle Estate, Thane, and Dean of Thane Deanery. In 2004 to 2008 - Secretary to the Archbishop of Bombay. In 2008 - Parish Priest, St. Thomas Church, Goregaon East and Spiritual Director & Administrator, St. Pius X College, Goregaon. In 2011, he was appointed as Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Church, Borivali, and also Dean of Borivali Deanery
20th December 2016 - Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay by His Holiness Pope Francis and 28th January, 2017 - Ordained Bishop by His Eminence, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay
As a priest, Bishop Barthol actively promoted the Holy Father’s call for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, involving his parish in initiatives and outreach. He was visiting faculty at the Archdiocesan Seminary, where he taught Homiletics, and was the former Vice Chairman of the Priest Council. As Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, he is also the Zonal Bishop of the following Deaneries - North Bombay, Bandra, Central Suburbs and Bhayandar. Besides, he is Bishop-in-charge of the Small Christian Communities, Laity, Youth, Cells, and Associations. At the CCBI, Bishop Barthol is the chairman of the Family Commission. In the Western Region, Bishop Barthol is the Bishop in charge of Social Communications and Youth.
Bishop Barthol is known for his connect with the Youth, his regular reaching out to people in distress, with regular pastoral visitation. He was also very involved in revitalization of the Small Christian Communities.
We pray for Bishop Barthol Barretto and Fr. Lancy Pinto as they take up the new responsibilities to which God has called them.