|
Dear Faithful of the Diocese of Poona,
With hearts full of gratitude and hope, we announce the completion of Fr. Roque Alphonso’s term as Diocesan Administrator, and we joyfully welcome Bishop Simon Almeida as our new Bishop.
We express our deep and sincere appreciation to Fr. Roque Alphonso for his devoted service, wise leadership, and pastoral care during this important interim period in the life of our diocese. His generosity, prayerful guidance, and steady presence have been a true blessing to our clergy, religious, and faithful. We remain grateful for his ministry and continue to seek his prayers as he moves forward in service to the Church.
At the same time, we extend a heartfelt welcome to Bishop Simon Almeida. We assure him of our prayers, cooperation, and filial support as he begins his shepherding of the Diocese of Poona.
May the Lord abundantly bless both Fr. Roque Alphonso and Bishop Simon Almeida, and may our diocese continue to grow in faith, unity, and love.
|
|
Pune: Pope Leo appointed Fr. Simon Almeida, formerly Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Ghorpadi, as the Bishop of the Diocese of Poona. He has now been solemnly ordained and installed as Bishop of Poona.
The episcopal ordination and installation took place on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Pune. The ceremony was presided over by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, who served as the principal consecrator.
The celebration was attended by Most Rev. John Rodrigues, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bombay; His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Emeritus Archbishop of Bombay; bishops from neighbouring dioceses; priests, religious, and a large number of the faithful.
This episcopal ordination was of special significance for the Diocese of Poona, as it took place after a gap of 49 years. The previous episcopal ordination in the diocese was held in 1978, when Bishop Valerian D’Souza was ordained. The bishops who later served the Diocese of Poona—Bishop Thomas Dabre and Bishop John Rodrigues—were transferred from the Diocese of Vasai and the Archdiocese of Bombay, respectively.
Early Life and Formation
Bishop Simon Almeida was born on 4 November 1960 in Gass, Bhatori, Vasai. He completed his schooling at St. Gonsalo Garcia Primary School and Holy Cross High School, Nirmal. He began his seminary formation at Prakash Bhavan (Minor Seminary), Pune, in 1978, and completed his philosophical and theological studies at St. Pius X College, Mumbai.
He was ordained a priest on 1 April 1990 for the Diocese of Poona.
Bishop Almeida holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Bombay. He also earned a Diploma in Foundations for Pastoral Renewal and Steward Leadership in the Church of the Poor from the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Manila (2000–2001), and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines (2000–2002).
Pastoral Ministry
Following his priestly ordination, Bishop Almeida served in several pastoral and administrative roles, including:
- Assistant Parish Priest, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Pune (1990–1994)
- Assistant Parish Priest, St. Ignatius Parish, Khadki (1994–1996)
- In-charge, Diocesan Youth Ministry (1996–2000)
- Rector, Prakash Bhavan (Minor Seminary), Pune (2002–2003)
- Parish Priest, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Pune (2003–2008)
- Parish Priest, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Chinchwad (2008–2013)
- Financial Administrator of the Diocese (2010–2015)
- Parish Priest, St. Anne’s Church, Sholapur Bazaar (2013–2019)
- Parish Priest, St. John Paul II Church, Wakad (2019–2023)
- Regional Deputy Secretary, Western Region Bishops’ Council (2023–2025)
He also served as a member of the Diocesan Priests’ Council for two terms and as a Diocesan Consultor from 2006.
Bishop Simon Almeida’s elder brother, Fr. Peter Almeida, is a priest of the Diocese of Vasai.
Diocese of Poona
Bishop Simon Almeida is the eighth Bishop of Poona. The Diocese of Poona was established in 1886, with Bernard Bieder-Linden, SJ, as its first bishop. The diocese presently comprises the civil districts of Pune, Satara, Solapur, Sangli, and Kolhapur city.
|
The Poona Diocese consists of the civil districts of Pune, Satara, Solapur, Sangli & Kolhapur city.
Around 1790, the Archbishop of Goa at the request of Dom Manuel Noronha, a Portuguese officer working in the Peshwa's army, sent Fr.Vincent Joaquim Menezes to minister to the Catholics working in the army of Peshwas. Fr.Menezes resided and said Mass in the house of Dom Noronha. In 1794, with the contribution of the Catholics in the army, a small chapel was built at Nana Peth on a plot offered by the Peshwa. The first Mass was celebrated in this chapel on Christmas day. These were the beginning of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the City Church.
Around 1800 the Vicar Apostolic of Bombay started sending his priests to minister to the Catholics in the Scindia's army but he stopped this about 1804. In 1835 Fr.Britto, a Goan priest working under the Vicar Apostolic acted as Military Chaplain in a chapel built at Right Flank Lines, Wanowrie. In 1850 St.Patrick's Church, the present Cathedral was built.
Poona was erected into a Vicariate Apostolic by dismemberment from Bombay on March 8, 1854, and entrusted to the society of Jesus. The Vicar Apostolic of Bombay remained Administrator till the Hierarchy was established in 1886. Rt.Rev.Bernard Bieder-Linden SJ was appointed its first Bishop.
On October 20, 1953 the Catholics of Ratnagiri District and those of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Pune, who formerly belonged to the Archdiocese of Goa, were placed under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Poona. On November 30, 1953 the districts of Dharwar and Bijapur, formerly in the Poona Diocese were attached to the newly constituted Diocese of Belgaum.
On June 9, 1987 the Holy Father created the Diocese of Nashik comprising of four districts - Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon and Ahmednagar - of the Poona Diocese and appointed Fr.Thomas Bhalerao SJ as its first bishop.
The rededication of St.Patrick's Cathedral took place on October 22, 1987. The roof of the old Cathedral collapsed shortly before midnight on July 15, 1984. The outer walls and facade have been retained, but there is now a vault roof of concrete.
His Holiness created the Eparchy of Kalyan on May 19, 1988 which is contiguous with the Archdiocese of Bombay and the Dioceses of Poona and Nashik. On August 24, 1988 Rev.Fr.Paul Chittilapilly was ordained Eparch of Kalyan and the new diocese was formally inaugurated and all Catholics of the Syro-Malabar Rite in the diocese came under his jurisdiction.
The First Diocesan Synod was held at Ishvani Kendra, Pune, from 11 to 14 February 2003. The theme of the Synod was: WE ARE THE CHURCH. 144 delegates from all the 7 districts came together in love for the Church and the Diocese to share their opinions and talents and use their charisms to make the Synod truly a pilgrimage – a walking together – in the power of the Spirit.
|