Archbishop Francis Kalist

Francis Kalist was born on November 23, 1957, in Ratapuram, in the Kanyakumari district (Diocese of Kottar). He attended primary school in Ratapuram and subsequently entered St. John’s Minor Seminary in Sardhana, Meerut. He continued his formation at St. Albert’s Major Seminary in Ranchi, pursuing studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained on December 30, 1982, in Meerut, and incardinated into that same diocese. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1982–1984: Assistant Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Church, Roorkee; 1984–1986: Assistant Parish Priest, St. Pius Church, Bachraon; 1986–1989: Parish Priest, St. James Church, Sirsanal Village; 1989–1995: Parish Priest, St. Paul’s Church, Christnagar; 1995–1999: Parish Priest, St. Francis Church, Swar; 1999–2002: Rector, St. John’s Minor Seminary and Administrator of the Basilica Shrine of "Our Lady of Graces," Sardhana; from 2002: Rector, St. Francis Xavier Regional Philosophate, Etmadpur, Archdiocese of Agra. From 1992 to 2002, he also served as Diocesan Director of Evangelization and Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies.