Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the Archbishop of Bombay, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, on Saturday evening.
Archbishop John Rodrigues has assumed office as the head of the Archdiocese of Bombay, one of the largest Roman Catholic dioceses in the country, with nearly five lakh members.
Rodrigues, who was appointed Coadjutor Bishop on November 30, was born on August 21, 1967 in Mumbai. He studied dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome and was ordained a priest on April 18, 1998, serving at St Michael’s Church, Mahim, as deputy parish priest till 1999. He was secretary to the Cardinal Metropolitan Archbishop of Bombay between 1999-2000, professor of dogmatic theology and and dean of studies at Saint Pius X College, the Roman Catholic seminary in Goregaon, Mumbai between 2002 and 2013. He served as an Auxiliary Bishop in Mumbai for a decade before being transferred to Pune on March 25, 2023. He has also served as the Rector of Our Lady of the Mount, Mount Mary Basilica, Bandra.
In a video message released in Saturday, Cardinal Gracias expressed gratitude to all his collaborators in the Archdiocese, including bishops, priests, religious, the laity, and the citizens of Mumbai.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, Father Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese, said that the Archdiocese of Bombay deeply acknowledges the remarkable contributions of Cardinal Gracias, whose visionary leadership left an indelible legacy in the local Church, the National Church in India, and the universal Church.
Speaking of his predecessor, Archbishop John Rodrigues said, “Cardinal Oswald Gracias was a giant of a man, and now as his successor I have mighty big shoes to fill.”
To formally welcome Archbishop John Rodrigues, a eucharistic celebration will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, at the Holy Name Cathedral, Colaba in the evening. The Archdiocese warmly invites priests, religious, and representatives of the laity to join this significant event as a sign of unity and prayerful support.
Catholic community groups remembered Cardinal Gracias’ leadership with gratefulness. “We thank Cardinal Oswald Gracias for his visionary leadership and unwavering service to the Catholic Church in India. Praying for his health & blessings as he steps down,” said Melwyn Fernandes Secretary of Association of Concerned Christians. “Best wishes to Bishop John Rodrigues as he takes on this role. May he lead with wisdom and resolve pressing issues.”
The Mobai Gaothan Parishad, a group representing the indigenous East Indian community said that they were happy that the city’s Archbishop is a fellow East Indian. “MGPs long standing demand for indigenous people’s clergy head has been granted starting with the Archbishop of Bombay. We look forward to similar appointments of Bishops, Deans and other diocesan council heads from the indigenous people of Mumbai, Bhumiputra East Indian Samaj.
We look forward with great hope in this challenging times for the East Indian community of Mumbai Metropolitan Region as indigenous people. We pray for him and look forward to his support to promote and preserve our language, culture, tradition, heritage, history, existence and identity, said MGP in a statement.
