ASIA/INDIA – Resignation of the Bishop of Jammu-Srinagar and appointment of successor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father, Pope Francis, on 3 December 2014, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Jammu-Srinagar (India), presented by Bishop Peter Celestine Elampassery, O.F.M. Cap., in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1, the Holy Father also appointed as Bishop of Jammu-Srinagar, Rev. Ivan Pereira, presently Director of the Diocesan Education Board.
Rev. Ivan Pereira was born 1 June 1964, in the diocese of Vasai. After attending St. John’s Minor Seminary in Amritsar, he studied Philosophy at Holy Trinity Regional Seminary, Jalhandar, and Theology at St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Allahabad. Later he obtained a B.A. in Education and a Master degree in English. He was ordained a priest on 15 May 1993 for the diocese of Jammu-Srinagar.
Since his ordination Rev. Pereira has served as follows: 1993-1995: parish vicar at Jammu; 1995-2000: parish priest in different dioceses – including the Cathedral - and principal of the adjoining Jammu-Srinagar diocesan Catholic School; 2000-2003: rector at St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Akalpur, Jammu; 2003-2008: Secretary of the Regional Catholic Council, North India; 2004-2009: vicar general and secretary to the bishop of Jammu-Srinagar, at the same time diocesan director of the Holy Childhood Association and later diocesan director, and then regional director of the Indian Christian Youth Association; 2006-2009: secretary and later president of the Regional Conference of Diocesan Priests, North India; 2009-2012: parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Srinagar; since 2009: Director of Jammu-Srinagar Diocesan Education Board; since 2012: principal of Burn Hall Higher Secondary School, Srinagar. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 3/12/2014)