Mysore Diocese Welcomes Bishop Serrao’s Pastoral Leadership

In a solemn ceremony at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, also known as St. Philomena’s Shrine, Bishop Francis Serrao SJ was formally installed as the new Bishop of the Mysore Diocese on October 7. The event, presided over by Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, marked the commencement of Serrao’s pastoral leadership following his appointment by Pope Leo XIV. Attended by clergy, religious orders, and hundreds of faithful, the installation underscored the Catholic Church’s emphasis on continuity and renewal in its diocesan governance. Serrao, aged 66, succeeds Bishop Bernard Moras, who had served as apostolic administrator since January 2023, providing stability during the transitional period.

The liturgical rites, led by Archbishop Machado, included the formal reading of the Papal Bull of Appointment, a key tradition signifying papal endorsement. Serrao took the oath of office amid warm applause, symbolizing communal support for his ministry. A subsequent felicitation program, chaired by Bishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, honored Serrao’s transition from his previous role as Bishop of Shimoga. There, he earned acclaim for initiatives in social outreach, including education and healthcare for marginalized groups, aligning with the Church’s global focus on integral human development as outlined in Pope Francis’s encyclicals. Tributes were also extended to Moras for his steadfast administration, which navigated challenges like post-pandemic recovery and interfaith dialogue in a diverse region.

Born on August 15, 1959, in Moodbidri, Karnataka, Serrao hails from a deeply devout Catholic family as the youngest of 11 siblings—six brothers are priests, and one sister is a nun. His vocational path reflects a family legacy of service. Ordained on April 30, 1992, Serrao initially ministered to Dalit and tribal communities in Anekal (Archdiocese of Bangalore) and Mundgod (Diocese of Karwar), embodying the Jesuit motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (For the Greater Glory of God). His early work emphasized empowerment through catechesis, vocational training, and advocacy against social exclusion, drawing from the Church’s preferential option for the poor. This background positions him well to address contemporary issues like youth migration and environmental concerns in Mysore.

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The Mysore Diocese, spanning Mysuru, Mandya, Kodagu, and Chamarajanagar districts, encompasses 90 parishes and serves a Catholic population of approximately 150,000 in a predominantly Hindu state. Serrao’s installation heralds a new era of pastoral innovation, potentially building on Moras’s efforts in digital evangelization and ecumenical partnerships. As India’s Catholic community—numbering over 20 million—navigates secularism and pluralism, Serrao’s leadership could foster greater interreligious harmony. In his brief address, he called for collaborative ministry, urging the faithful to “walk together in faith and service.” The event concluded with a Eucharistic procession, leaving the diocese poised for spiritual revitalization amid Karnataka’s evolving socio-economic landscape.

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