Bishop Francis Serrao

Bishop Serrao, a Jesuit, was appointed Bishop of Shimoga on March 19, 2014, and was ordained on May 7 of the same year. Born on August 15, 1959, in Moodbidri in the Diocese of Mangalore, he entered the Society of Jesus on January 3, 1979, at Mount St. Joseph, Bangalore. His philosophical and theological studies took place at Jesuit institutions—Satya Nilayam in Chennai and Jnana Deepa Vidya Peetha in Pune—followed by a Licentiate in Theology from Vidya Jyoti College, Delhi. He was ordained a priest on April 30, 1992, and made his perpetual profession in the Society of Jesus on May 1, 1999. Over the years, his ministry has spanned pastoral service, social action, academic leadership, and community formation. He began with pastoral ministry in Mundgod in the Diocese of Karwar, before serving in social development work at Loyola Vikas Kendra in Mundgod. He later directed the Regional Theologate in Bangalore, led St. Joseph Church in Anekal as parish priest, served as superior of the Jesuit community in Bejapur, and was rector of St. Aloysius College in Mangalore. His episcopal journey now takes a new turn as he prepares to shepherd the Diocese of Mysore, bringing with him decades of pastoral experience, Jesuit formation, and a deep commitment to ecumenism.