MOST REV. FRANCIS SERRAO SJ.
Bishop of Shimoga
Residence & Office : Bishop's House, Malligenhalli, Sagar Road, Shimoga - 577 205
Born : August 15, 1959
Ordained Priest : April 30, 1992
Elected Bishop : March 19, 2014
Ordained Bishop : May 07, 2014
Bishop Francis Serrao was born on August 15, 1959 in Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, Bishop Francis is the youngest of the 11 children, 6 of them are priests - 2 diocesan, 2 SVDs, and two Jesuits, and a sister a religious nun.
He was ordained a priest on April 30, 1992 and made his final vows in the Society of Jesus on May 1, 1999. He has had a wide ranging experience in the social apostolate working among dalits and tribals in Anekal (Bangalore Archdiocese) and Mundgod (Karwar Diocese) mission stations.
He has been teaching theology to the Jesuit students of theology, preparing themselves for priesthood. He was the Rector of the St. Aloysius College, the 136-year old institution in Mangalore. It imparts education to over eleven thousand students from the primary to doctoral studies.
On March 19, 2014 the Holy Father appointed Msgr. Francis Serrao sj as the Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga. He was appointed as the third bishop of Diocese of Shimoga and was ordained as Bishop on 07 May, 2014 by Archbishop Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio of India, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga. “Service of Faith Fullness of Life is the pastoral motto of the Bishop.
MOST REV. DR. GERALD ISAAC LOBO
Second Bishoop of Shimoga 2000 -2012
Present Resident : Bishop of Udupi, Bishop's House, Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi
Born : November 12, 1949
Ordained Priest : Mayt 5, 1977
Elected Bishop : January 17, 2000
Ordained Bishop : March 20, 2000
Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo was born on November 12, 1949 and was ordained as a priest for the diocese of Mangalore on 5 May 1977. In 2000 the Holy See appointed Msgr. Gerald Isaac Lobo as the Bishop of the Diocese of Shimoga. He was elected as the second bishop of Doicese of Shimoga and was ordained as Bishop on 20 March, 2000 by Archbishop Most Rev. Ignatius Pinto, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga. “Service of Love is Source of Life is the pastoral moto of the Bishop.
On July 16, 2012 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the FIRST bishop of THE DIOCESE OF UDUPI and installed on 15th October, 2012.
MOST REV. DR. IGNATIUS PINTO
First Bishoop of Shimoga 1989 -1998
Present Resident : Archbishp Emeritus of Bangalore, Sunset Glow, No.4 Palmgrove Road, Bangalore - 560 047
Born : May 18, 1925
Ordained Priest : August 24, 1952
Ordained Bishop : January 31, 1989
Archbishop : November 25, 1998
Tel : 080-25573827, 25542859
Email :
On 14th November, 1988 the Rt Rev. Msgr. Ignatius Pinto, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Bangalore was appointed its First Bishop by His Holiness Pope John Paul II through his Apostolic Letter "Bonevolentiam Quidem Nostram." The Episcopal Ordination of the first bishop of Shimoga took place on 31st January,1989, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral ground, Shimoga. He was promoted as Archbishop of Bangalore on 10th September 1998 and installed on 25th November, 1998.