ASIA/PAKISTAN - Resignation of Bishop of Hyderabad and appointment of successor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On 16 December 2014 the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Hyderabad in Pakistan, by His Exc. Mgr. Max John Rodrigues, in accordance with can. 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law. The Holy Father appointed Rev. Fr. Samson Shukardin, O.F.M. as Bishop of the Diocese of Hyderabad in Pakistan.
Rev. Fr. Samson Shukardin, O.F.M., was born on January 29, 1961, in Hyderabad in Pakistan. After completing education at St. Bonaventure High School in Hyderabad and at Government Boys College Phalali of La Salle Brothers, he entered the Order of Friars Minor.
In 1992 he graduated in Art at the Sindh University, Jamsharo, and later in Theology at the National Catholic Institute of Theology in Karachi. In 1998 he completed his Civil Law studies at Sindh Law College. He was ordained a priest on 10 December 1993.
Since ordination he has served in a number of pastoral roles: 1993-1996: assistant priest in Gujrat, Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi; 1996-2004: Prosecutor of the Franciscan Province; 2004-2008: Guardian of the Franciscan Order and President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Pakistan; since 2008: Pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in Hyderabad, Diocesan Director of the Justice and Peace Commission, Director of AsIPA (formation of small Christian communities). Since 2010, Vicar General of the Diocese of Hyderabad. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/12/2014)