Bishop Francis Serrao SJ Installed as Bishop of Mysore Diocese by Archbishop Peter

Mysore, October 8, 2025: Bishop Francis Serrao SJ was installed as the new bishop of Mysore on October 7, at the historic St. Joseph’s Cathedral (St. Philomena’s Shrine), Mysore. The solemn ceremony, attended by clergy, religious, and the faithful, marked the beginning of his pastoral leadership following his appointment by Pope Leo XIV.

The installation ceremony was solemnly presided over by Bishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, who led the liturgical rites marking the beginning of Bishop Francis Serrao SJ’s new ministry. Appointed by Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Serrao takes on the pastoral leadership of Mysore after serving as the Bishop of Shimoga, where he was known for his commitment to social outreach and pastoral care.

A felicitation programme was held under the presidency of Bishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal. The event also paid a heartfelt tribute to Bishop Bernard Moras, who had faithfully served as the apostolic administrator of Mysore since January 2023, guiding the diocese during its period of transition.

The ceremony included the formal reading of the Papal Bull of Appointment, officially inaugurating Bishop Serrao’s leadership. After taking the oath of office, he was greeted with warm applause and felicitations from bishops, priests, religious, and hundreds of faithful who gathered to witness this moment of grace and renewal.

Born on August 15, 1959, in Moodbidri, Bishop Serrao, 66, belongs to a devout Catholic family—the youngest of eleven children, with six brothers who are priests and a sister who is a nun. Ordained on April 30, 1992, he devoted his early priestly ministry to the service of Dalit and tribal communities in Anekal (Archdiocese of Bangalore) and Mundgod (Diocese of Karwar), embodying the Church’s mission to reach the margins.

With his installation, the Diocese of Mysore—covering the districts of Mysuru, Mandya, Kodagu, and Chamarajanagar, and home to 90 parishes—enters a new chapter of spiritual growth and pastoral service under Bishop Serrao’s guidance.

Bishop Francis Serrao SJ Installed as Bishop of Mysore Diocese by Archbishop Peter

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