ASIA/INDIA - Appointment of the Bishop of Amravati

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI on July 11, 2012 appointed Rev. Elias Gonsalves, Director of the Social Work of the Archdiocese of Bombay (India) as Bishop of the Diocese of Amravati (India).
Rev. Elias Gonsalves was born on July 4, 1961 in Chulne, Diocese of Vasai. He attended schools in Sandor, Vasai, and then entered the archdiocesan Seminary of St. Pius College, in Goregaon, in 1983. He obtained a Bachelors degree in History and Economics at the University of Bombay, and a Diploma at the Coady Institute, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he specilized in Social Development and Community Building. He was ordained a priest on April 11, 1990, incardinated in the Archdiocese of Bombay. At the time of the creation of the Diocese of Vasai, he opted for the Archdiocese of Bombay. After ordination, he has held the following positions: 1990-1991: Parish Assistant at the Holy Spirit Church, Nandakal, Vasai; 1991-1997: Assistant Parish at St. Thomas Church, Sandor, Vasai, 1997-2004: Priest in charge of the Sacred Heart Parish, Roha, Raigard; 1999-2004: Member of the Council of Priests; since 2001: Dean of Raigad; 2004-2005: Studies for the Diploma in Canada; 2005-2008: Pastor of the St. Francis Church, Panvel, Raigad; 2008-2009: Assistant Director of Social Work; since 2009: Director of Social Work. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 11/7/2012)