Bombay Archdiocese rejoices in new auxiliary bishop Stephen Fernandes

Recognised expert in Social Teaching and Medical Ethics brings national and Vatican experience to episcopal ministry in Mumbai.

MUMBAI, Maharashtra (Indian Catholic News) — The Archdiocese of Bombay rejoices in its new Auxiliary Bishop, a recognised expert in the Church’s Social Teaching and Medical Ethics whose experience at the Apostolic Nunciature has deepened his insight into the Church’s mission across India.

The Archdiocese of Bombay announced the episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect Stephen Fernandes on January 3 at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Dadar, calling it “a significant milestone for the local Church”. The archdiocese’s press office in a statement said that the solemn ordination to the episcopate took place today at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Dadar, Mumbai.

“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Fr. Stephen Fernandes as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay. The appointment was made public by the Holy See Press Office at 3:30 p.m. IST on 25 October 2025,” the Archdiocese of Bombay said.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, apostolic nuncio to India and Nepal. The co-consecrators were Archbishop John Rodrigues of Bombay and Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in the Vatican.

According to the archdiocese, the occasion was attended by more than 30 bishops and archbishops, including retired Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay and Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa, and national Church leaders, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and faithful from across the archdiocese.

Journey of formation and service

Bishop Stephen Fernandes was born on September 21, 1961, in Mumbai. His late parents, John and Palmira Fernandes, were “devoted parishioners” of Our Lady of Salvation Church in Dadar.

He earned degrees in Commerce (B.Com. and M.Com.) and Education (B. Ed.) from the University of Mumbai and completed his priestly formation at St. Pius X College (Archdiocesan Seminary) in Goregaon, Mumbai. He was ordained a priest on March 31, 1990, by the late Cardinal Simon Pimenta of Bombay.

His first assignment was Assistant Parish Priest at St. John the Evangelist Church in Marol, Mumbai (1990–1992). He later served on the staff of St. Pius X College before pursuing higher studies in Rome, obtaining a Licentiate and Doctorate in Theology from the Alphonsian Academy (1994–2000).

On returning to Mumbai, he served as Resident Professor of Moral Theology and Formator at St. Pius X College until 2018, the press note stated. From 2010 to 2018, he also served as Executive Secretary of the Commission for Theology and Doctrine at the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).

At the time of his announcement, Bishop Fernandes served at the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi, resided at the CBCI Centre. He is the Theological Counsellor to the Catholic Medical Guild of St. Luke, Mumbai, and Ecclesiastical Advisor to the Catholic Nurses’ Guild of India (Archdiocese of Bombay).

The archdiocese described him as “a recognized expert in the Church’s Social Teaching and Medical Ethics, having presented scholarly papers at national and international seminars.” It added, “His experience at the Apostolic Nunciature has deepened his insight into the Church’s mission across India, supported by his exceptional organizational skills.”

In his homily, Archbishop Rodrigues “emphasized the journey of the wise men in search of Christ, their encounter with Jesus, and their choice to return by a different path, drawing parallels to the spiritual path of the newly ordained bishop.”

“The Archdiocese of Bombay rejoices in the ordination of Bishop Stephen Fernandes and assures him of its fervent prayers as he embarks on this new chapter of service to the Church,” the press office said.