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New bishop for Pune: Simon Almeida takes over leadership!
Pope Leo XIV appoints Simon Almeida as the new Bishop of Pune, while Eichstätt maintains intensive exchanges with the partner diocese.
New bishop for Pune: Simon Almeida takes over leadership!
An important change has taken place in India's ecclesiastical landscape: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Simon Almeida (65) as the new Bishop of Pune. This was recently done by the Diocese of Eichstätt announced. Almeida, who currently serves as deputy secretary of the Western Regional Bishops' Council and heads St. Joseph's Church in Ghorpuri, will succeed Bishop John Rodrigues, who was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Bombay on November 30, 2024.
The new bishop, born on November 4, 1960 in Gass, Bhatori, entered the Prakash Bhavan boys' seminary in Pune in 1978 and completed his philosophical and theological training at St. Pius X College in Mumbai. After his ordination on April 1, 1990, Almeida took on various pastoral and administrative tasks in the diocese of Poona for over 35 years, including leadership of the diocesan youth and the position of rector at the Prakash Bhavan boys' seminary between 2002 and 2003. Since June 2025, he has been pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Ghorpuri.
Long-standing partnership between the dioceses
Almeida's appointment comes at a time when the partnership between the dioceses of Eichstätt and Poona, which has existed since 1955, is strong. Projects and initiatives within this partnership are supported annually by, among others, the children's mission organization in Aachen. Dr. Gerhard Rott, head of the World Church Department, plans to meet the newly appointed bishop and will support the youth choir at Eichstätter Cathedral in the partner diocese with a musical serenade as he takes his first steps.
The Catholic Church in India
Almeida's new role comes in a complex and diverse ecclesial environment: The Roman Catholic Church in India and Bhutan is part of the global Catholic communion and is divided into three rites - the Roman Rite and the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Rites. In total, there are currently 165 dioceses in India organized under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (C.B.C.I.). The total Catholic population of India is estimated at about 25 million, of which 18 million are Catholics.
The history of the Catholic Church in India dates back to the year 52, when the Apostle Thomas founded communities along the Malabar Coast. This rich tradition and the cultural diversity of Indian Catholics make the diocesan work under Bishop Almeida an important task that not only addresses questions of faith, but also social challenges and the youth workshop.
The coming months will certainly be a time of adjustment and challenges for Simon Almeida. But with his many years of experience in the diocese and the support of the partner diocese of Eichstätt, he is well equipped to continue the important work in Pune and to provide new impulses.