Sign in
Bishop
  • Overview
  • Insights
  • Statistics
  • Financials
  • Reports
  • Bishop
  • Directory
  • Map
  • Documents
  • Manage Data
  • Overview Dashboard
  • Magisterium Chat
Diocese of PoonaBishop
Sign in

Bishop Simon Almeida

Bishop of Poona

Coat of arms
Born
Nov 4, 1960 Ghas, Gurdaspur district, India
Nationality
India
Ordained priest
Apr 1, 1990 1-B Prince of Wales Drive, India
Ordained bishop
Jan 17, 2026 Poona, India
Appointed
Jan 17, 2026
Principal consecrator
Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão
Co-consecrators
John Rodrigues Elias Joseph Gonsalves

Pope Leo appointed Fr. Simon Almeida, formerly Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Ghorpadi, as the Bishop of the Diocese of Poona. He has now been solemnly ordained and installed as Bishop of Poona. The episcopal ordination and installation took place on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Pune. The ceremony was presided over by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, who served as the principal consecrator. The celebration was attended by Most Rev. John Rodrigues, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bombay; His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Emeritus Archbishop of Bombay; bishops from neighbouring dioceses; priests, religious, and a large number of the faithful. This episcopal ordination was of special significance for the Diocese of Poona, as it took place after a gap of 49 years. The previous episcopal ordination in the diocese was held in 1978, when Bishop Valerian D’Souza was ordained. The bishops who later served the Diocese of Poona—Bishop Thomas Dabre and Bishop John Rodrigues—were transferred from the Diocese of Vasai and the Archdiocese of Bombay, respectively. Early Life and Formation Bishop Simon Almeida was born on 4 November 1960 in Gass, Bhatori, Vasai. He completed his schooling at St. Gonsalo Garcia Primary School and Holy Cross High School, Nirmal. He began his seminary formation at Prakash Bhavan (Minor Seminary), Pune, in 1978, and completed his philosophical and theological studies at St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He was ordained a priest on 1 April 1990 for the Diocese of Poona. Bishop Almeida holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Bombay. He also earned a Diploma in Foundations for Pastoral Renewal and Steward Leadership in the Church of the Poor from the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Manila (2000–2001), and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines (2000–2002). Pastoral Ministry Following his priestly ordination, Bishop Almeida served in several pastoral and administrative roles, including: Assistant Parish Priest, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Pune (1990–1994) Assistant Parish Priest, St. Ignatius Parish, Khadki (1994–1996) In-charge, Diocesan Youth Ministry (1996–2000) Rector, Prakash Bhavan (Minor Seminary), Pune (2002–2003) Parish Priest, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Pune (2003–2008) Parish Priest, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Chinchwad (2008–2013) Financial Administrator of the Diocese (2010–2015) Parish Priest, St. Anne’s Church, Sholapur Bazaar (2013–2019) Parish Priest, St. John Paul II Church, Wakad (2019–2023) Regional Deputy Secretary, Western Region Bishops’ Council (2023–2025) He also served as a member of the Diocesan Priests’ Council for two terms and as a Diocesan Consultor from 2006. Bishop Simon Almeida’s elder brother, Fr. Peter Almeida, is a priest of the Diocese of Vasai.