August 15, 2025
On 15 August 2025 the Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Francis Serrao, S.J., as the new shepherd of the Diocese of Mysore. The Pontiff thanked the faithful of Shimoga, whom Bishop Serrao has guided since 2014, and commended him to Mary’s maternal care. The terse communiqué, a familiar genre in Vatican protocol, nevertheless radiated quiet joy: a local Church receives a pastor, the universal Church celebrates in communion.
The date of the decree—solemnity of the Assumption—reminds Catholics that every episcopal mission is Marian at heart. Mary’s glorification assures the Church that Christ’s victory is already bearing fruit in human history. By providence, Mysore’s new era begins under the sign of hope; the bishop will lead the diocese while looking to the Woman “clothed with the sun” who accompanies every disciple. Liturgical time and ecclesial governance, often viewed separately, converge in this moment of grace.
Indian Catholics reacted swiftly with gratitude. Priests in Karnataka praised Bishop Serrao’s simplicity and closeness to people. Lay leaders highlighted his experience with interreligious dialogue—essential in a region where Christians are a small minority. Social-media posts from youth groups voiced excitement that a Jesuit noted for pastoral creativity will now guide one of South India’s oldest dioceses, founded in 1850. The consensus: Mysore is ready for renewal rooted in authentic Catholic tradition.
Born in Karnataka in 1959, Francis Serrao entered the Society of Jesus inspired by missionaries who served the poor with intellectual rigor and tender charity. His formative years blended academic excellence with rural apostolates, mirroring the Ignatian conviction that love “shows itself in deeds.” The young Jesuit discovered early that listening to marginalized voices is a privileged encounter with Christ Himself.
Appointed bishop of Shimoga in 2014, he prioritized catechesis, family accompaniment, and transparent administration. Vocations rose steadily; parish councils learned collaborative stewardship. When devastating floods struck in 2019, he mobilized Caritas teams and parish volunteers within hours, earning interfaith respect. The diocesan vision plan he launched—“Rooted in Christ, Reaching the Peripheries”—became a template cited by neighboring bishops.
Bishop Serrao’s episcopal motto, “To Love and to Serve,” echoes the Jesuit ideal of magis: “the more.” His homilies invite contemplation of Scripture so that action flows from discernment. Monthly recollection days for clergy, introduced in Shimoga, allowed priests to share joys and trials in a spirit of fraternal correction. Such practices illustrate how Ignatian tools can refresh diocesan life without gimmicks, always honoring the magisterial teaching on the priesthood’s sacramental nature.
Mysore’s Catholic community traces its roots to 17th-century missionaries who dialogued respectfully with local cultures. Today the diocese serves roughly 120,000 faithful amid rapid urbanization and economic disparity. Parishes juggle pastoral needs ranging from migrants’ welfare to digital evangelization. The new bishop inherits both a venerable patrimony and urgent calls for creative outreach.
Situated in a pluralistic society, Mysore Catholics often collaborate with Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh neighbors on social-service projects. Such cooperation reflects Vatican II’s Nostra aetate, which encourages sincere dialogue while witnessing to Christ. Bishop Serrao’s previous experience with multi-faith disaster relief equips him to deepen these bridges, promoting peace without diluting Catholic identity.
Education remains Mysore’s hallmark: Catholic schools educate thousands, many non-Christian. Integrating faith and professional excellence can introduce the Gospel “by attraction,” as Pope Francis teaches. Digital catechetical platforms, already piloted in Shimoga, could empower catechists across vast rural zones. The diocese’s vibrant youth movements stand poised to become missionary disciples within India and beyond.
The appointment underscores Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to a listening Church. Bishop Serrao participated actively in India’s continental synodal consultations, emphasizing the laity’s baptismal dignity. His leadership may model how a diocesan bishop can implement synodal structures—pastoral councils, finance boards, and discernment groups—while safeguarding hierarchical communion.
Asia remains a vital frontier for evangelization. A Jesuit bishop in Mysore signals renewed missionary impetus reminiscent of St Francis Xavier, yet adapted to 21st-century realities: intercultural competence, ecological stewardship, and technological literacy. Lessons learned in Karnataka could inspire dioceses on every continent seeking to proclaim Christ respectfully in diverse settings.
For Catholics worldwide, this story affirms that the Holy Spirit continues to raise shepherds after the Heart of Jesus. Whether we live in Lagos, Manila, or Montréal, we can unite spiritually with Mysore, praying that Bishop Serrao’s ministry bears abundant fruit. His yes on the Assumption invites each of us to renew our own fiat, confident that Mary’s maternal gaze accompanies the Church’s pilgrim path toward the Kingdom.
The Church is ever ancient, ever new. On a feast that celebrates Mary’s glorious destiny, Pope Leo XIV entrusts the Diocese of Mysore to a Jesuit pastor shaped by humble service and bold vision. The appointment offers a microcosm of global Catholic dynamism: fidelity to Tradition, openness to the Spirit, and readiness to evangelize in word and deed. Let us rejoice with Mysore and look ahead with hope, trusting that the Lord who calls also equips His servants for every good work.