Pope Leo XIV Appoints Goan Priest as New Bishop of Sindhudurg Diocese
In a significant ecclesiastical development, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday appointed Fr Francisco Agnelo Pinheiro, a priest of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, as the new bishop of the diocese of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. This appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Bishop Alwyn Barreto, also a Goan, in 2024.
Profile of the New Bishop
Fr Francisco Agnelo Pinheiro, 53, hails from Raia in Goa and has been serving as the in-charge of the apostolate of inter-religious dialogue in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman since 2018. Concurrently, he holds the position of professor of philosophy at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol. He is widely recognized for his dedicated efforts in promoting understanding and harmony among diverse religious communities, a role that has earned him respect across faiths.
Born in 1972, Pinheiro is the youngest of nine children born to the late Pedro Santana Pinheiro and the late Maria Margarida Quadros. His family includes his brother, Fr Richard Pinheiro, who serves as the parish priest of Santa Cruz church.
Educational and Early Career Background
Pinheiro's academic journey began at St Theresa’s High School in Raia. He later joined the diocesan minor seminary and attended St Xavier’s Higher Secondary School in Mapusa, where he excelled academically, securing the 4th position in the Class XII board examination.
After an orientation year at the minor seminary of Our Lady of Saligao-Pilerne, he enrolled at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol in June 1991 for his philosophical and theological studies. Between these courses, from 1993 to 1996, he completed his graduation in psychology at St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, achieving distinction.
Priestly Ordination and Professional Advancements
He was ordained as a priest in the year 2000 and initially served as an assistant to the parish priest at St Alex Church in Calangute. In 2004, Pinheiro earned a master’s degree in philosophy from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth in Pune, and was promptly appointed as a professor of philosophy at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol that same year.
This appointment marks a new chapter in his service, bringing his extensive experience in education and interfaith dialogue to the leadership of the Sindhudurg diocese.
