Udupi, Karnataka: Most Rev. Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza, the Bishop of Udupi has appointed Rev. Fr Francis Xavier Lewis as the new Vicar General of the Diocese of Udupi. Rev. Fr Francis Xavier Lewis is currently the Parish Priest of Perpetual Succour Church, Kalathur.
In a religious ceremony that took place at Bishop’s House on Saturday, 02 May 2026, Rev. Fr Francis Xavier Lewis took charge as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Udupi. Most Rev. Dr Leslie Clifford D’Souza, the Bishop of Udupi conducted the prayer service and presided over the oath taking ceremony. V. Rev. Fr Stephen D’Souza, the Chancellor of Udupi Diocese, members of the College of Consultors, Rev. Fr Jithesh Castelino and Mr Marcel D’Souza, Procurator were present.
Rev. Fr Francis Xavier Lewis, a native of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Pernal, was born on 20 October 1960 to the late John Lewis and Theresa Lewis. He is blessed with two elder brothers and one younger sister. Responding to his vocation to the priesthood, he joined the Seminary of the Diocese of Mangalore on 30 June 1976 and was ordained a priest on 28 April 1987.
Over the past 39 years of dedicated priestly ministry, Fr Francis has rendered commendable service in various pastoral and leadership roles across the Diocese. He began his ministry as a missionary in the Bidar Mission from 1987 to 1997, serving in Bidar, Bhalki, Jalasangi–Humnabad, and Basava Kalyan. He later served as Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church, Bajal, Mangalore from 1997 to 2004. He contributed significantly in the field of communication as Director of the Canara Communication Centre and Vocation Service Centre (2004-2006), Director of Sandesha – Regional Communication Centre, Karnataka (2006-2008) and also as the Public Relations Officer of the Diocese of Mangalore (2004-2008).
He continued his pastoral ministry as Parish Priest of Christ Church, Manipal from 2008 to 2016, followed by his service at St Francis Xavier Church, Mudarangadi from 2016 to 2022. From 2022 to 2026, he served as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Kalathur. He has now been appointed as the Rector and Parish Priest of Our Lady of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, and as the Vicar Forane of St Andrew Deanery, Kallianpur, with effect from 18 May 2026.
Our Citizen Reporter – Karnataka
Wilson D’Souza
