Bishop of Hyderabad in Pakistan
Samson Shukardin, O.F.M., was born on January 29, 1961, in Hyderabad, Pakistan. After completing his education at St. Bonaventure High School in Hyderabad and the La Salle Brothers' Government Boys College in Phalali, he entered the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor, professing simple vows on August 2, 1987, and solemn vows on August 2, 1991. In 1992, he obtained a degree in Arts from Sindh University, Jamshoro, and subsequently a degree in Theology from the National Catholic Institute of Theology in Karachi. In 1998, he completed his studies in Civil Law, earning a law degree from Sindh Law College. He was ordained a priest on December 10, 1993. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1993–1996: Parish Vicar in Gujrat, Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi; 1996–2004: Procurator of the Franciscan Province; 2004–2008: Custos of the Franciscan Order and President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Pakistan; since 2008: Parish Priest of St. Elizabeth in Hyderabad, Diocesan Director of the Justice and Peace Commission, and Director of AsIPA (formation of small Christian communities). Since 2010, he has served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Hyderabad.