His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed His Excellency Rt. Rev. Elias Gonsalves, until now Bishop of Amravati, as the new Archbishop of Nagpur. This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Monday, 3rd December, 2018, at noon local time, corresponding to 16:30 hours, Indian Standard Time.
His Excellency Rt. Rev. Elias Gonsalves was ordained priest on 1st April, 1990 in Vasai, for the Archdiocese of Bombay. He has a B.A. in History and Economics, from Bombay University (1982), he did his studies in Community Based Development and Leadership, from St. Francis Xavier University, Coady Institute, Canada, and studies in Counselling. He was Assistant Parish Priest at Nandakhal, Vasai (1990-1991) and Sandor, Vasai (1991-1997); Youth Coordinator for South Vasai Deanery (1993-1996); Priest in-charge at Roha (1997-2004); Priest in-charge at Panvel (2005-2008); Asst. Director and then Director, Centre for Social Action, Mumbai (2008-2012); Director, Sarvodaya Centre for Capacity Building, Mumbai (2009-2012). He was elected Bishop of Amravati on 11th July, 2012 and consecrated on 29th September, 2012. As Bishop, he has been in charge of Catholic Education in the Western Region Catholic Bishops’ Council.
Catholic Bishops Conference of India has sent their prayerful greetings and best wishes to His Grace Archbishop-elect Elias Gonsalves and assured him of their prayers.
