Media Release
Udupi, Jan 31: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza as the new bishop of Udupi. He is currently serving as the parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva.
The appointment was made public in Rome on Saturday, January 31, at 12 noon, corresponding to 4.30 pm Indian Standard Time, and was simultaneously announced at Our Lady of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Udupi.
Fr (Dr) Leslie Clifford D’Souza was born on August 19, 1962, at Uchila (Yermal) in Udupi district, Karnataka, to Lawrence D’Souza and Cecelia D’Souza. He hails from a deeply rooted Christian family and is one of eight siblings, whose strong faith and values played a significant role in nurturing his vocation. Two of his elder sisters, the late Veronica D’Souza and the late Christine D’Souza, have passed away, while his remaining siblings continue to support him through their prayers.
His early education began at Saraswathi Mandir Higher Primary School, Uchila (1969–1976), followed by his high school studies at Government Fisheries High School, Yermal (1976–1979). He completed his pre-university education at Poorna Prajna College, Adamar (1979–1981).
Responding to God’s call, Fr Leslie pursued higher studies alongside priestly formation. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mysore while completing his philosophical studies at St Joseph’s Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Mangaluru (1982–1985). He then earned a bachelor in theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome (1986–1990). His academic journey continued with an MA in English Literature from the University of Mysore (1991–1993), followed by a diploma in depth psychology and formation from the Institute for Psychology and Formation, Bengaluru (1993–1995). He further specialised with a licentiate in theology (1997–1999) and later completed a doctorate in moral theology at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium (1999–2003).
Fr Leslie was ordained a priest on May 10, 1990, for the diocese of Mangalore. He began his priestly ministry as assistant parish priest at Holy Rosary Church, Kundapur (1990–1992), and later at Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar, Mangaluru (1992–1995). He also served as professor of moral theology and formator at St Joseph’s Inter-Diocesan Seminary, Mangaluru (1995–1997), and continued as a visiting professor until 2013.
His pastoral leadership was evident during his tenure as parish priest of St John the Evangelist Church, Pangla/Shankarpura (2010–2017), and later at Mount Rosary Church, Kallianpur–Santhekatte (2017–2022), where he also served as correspondent of educational institutions.
Since June 2022, Fr Leslie has been serving as parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, and as correspondent of Don Bosco and St Mary’s Educational Institutions. Alongside his parish ministry, he has contributed significantly to diocesan administration and governance. He served as secretary of the Council of Priests (2022–2025) and continues to serve as vicar forane of the Shirva deanery, advocate of the ecclesiastical tribunal of the diocese of Udupi, and member of the college of consultors (2023–present).