Prayagraj, March 31, 2025: In a significant reorganization aimed at fostering fresh pastoral leadership and educational growth, the Diocese of Allahabad has announced a comprehensive list of clergy transfers and new appointments. The changes, approved by the Diocesan College of Consultors at their recent meeting, span various parishes, missions, schools, and specialized centres across the diocese. Bishop Louis Mascarenhas, in his circular dated March 31, 2025, outlined these updates that will take effect from mid-2025.

The following is an overview of the 23 transfers and placements that mark a period of rejuvenation and strategic repositioning within the diocese:

• Rev. Fr. Albert Lobo
  From: St. Xavier’s Church/School, Robertsganj
  To: Hartmann Mission/School, Hartmannganj
  Role: Priest-in-Charge/Principal
  Effective Date: June 14, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Anand K. V. John
  From: St. Anthony’s School, Pratapgarh
  To: St. Xavier’s Church/School, Robertsganj
  Role: Parish Priest/Principal
  Effective Date: June 16, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Anil Rakesh Abrew
  From: St. Patrick’s Church, Kanpur
  To: St. Joseph’s Mission/School, Kohdar, Meja
  Role: Priest-in-Charge/Principal (continuing as Director of Sangeet Sadhana Mandir, Pachmarhi)
  Effective Date: June 30, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Babu Francis
  From: Janhit Sadan, Naini, Prayagraj
  To: St. Mary’s Church, Muirabad
  Role: Parish Priest
  Effective Date: June 17, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Baptist D’Souza
  From: St. Joseph’s Church/School, Rihandnagar
  To: St. Peter’s Church/School, Akbarpur
  Role: Asst. Parish Priest/Principal
  Effective Date: June 21, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Eugene Mascarenhas
  From: St. Don Bosco Church, Naini, Prayagraj
  To: St. Joseph’s Mission, Sadwa Kalan, Naini
  Role: Resident Priest
  Effective Date: Arrival on July 1, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Francis Joseph D’Souza
  From: Masih Vidyapeeth, Etmadpur, Agra
  To: St. Don Bosco Church, Naini, Prayagraj
  Role: Parish Priest
  Effective Date: June 29, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Jacob Bona D’Souza
  From: St. Mary’s Church/School, Mirzapur
  To: St. Peter’s Church/School, Raebareli
  Role: Parish Priest/Principal
  Effective Date: June 21, 2025
• Rev. Fr. James Francis
  From: St. Joseph’s Mission/School, Shankergarh
  To: St. Francis Church/School, Anpara
  Role: Parish Priest/Manager
  Effective Date: June 23, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Melwin Wilson D’Souza
  From: Nazareth Hospital, Prayagraj
  To: St. Joseph’s Mission/School, Sadwa Kalan, Naini
  Role: Mission-in-Charge/Principal/Diocesan Education Officer
  Effective Date: June 21, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Joseph Sagayanathan
  From: St. Joseph’s Mission/School, Sadwa Kalan, Naini
  To: Vianney Niketan (Geriatric Centre), Prayagraj
  Role: Director of Vianney Niketan/Sadhana Sadan and in charge of Ajhuwa Mission
  Effective Date: June 22, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Lancy D’Cunha
  From: St. Xavier’s Church/School, Robertsganj
  To: St. Patrick’s Church, Kanpur
  Role: Parish Priest/Manager
  Effective Date: June 18, 2025
  (Note: A typographical discrepancy in the document has been assumed to indicate June 18, 2025.)
• Rev. Fr. Leo Sequeira
  From: St. Mary’s Church, Muirabad
  To: Vianney Niketan (Geriatric Centre), Prayagraj
  Role: Resident Priest
  Effective Date: Arrival on July 1, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Prem Prakash Lakra
  From: St. Joseph’s Mission/School, Kohdar, Meja
  To: St. Anthony’s School, Pratapgarh
  Role: Asst. Parish Priest (at Holy Rosary Church)/Principal
  Effective Date: June 13, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Reginald D’Souza (VG)
  From: St. Peter’s Church/School, Raebareli
  To: St. Mary’s Church/School, Mirzapur
  Role: Parish Priest/Principal
  Effective Date: June 22, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Robert Sunil Noronha
  From: St. Francis Church/School, Anpara
  To: St. Joseph’s Mission/School, Shankergarh
  Role: Priest-in-Charge/Principal
  Effective Date: June 25, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Ronald Noronha
  From: Vianney Niketan (Geriatric Centre), Prayagraj
  To: St. Joseph’s Church/School, Rihandnagar
  Role: Parish Priest/Principal
  Effective Date: June 24, 2025
• Rev. Fr. William Mathias
  From: Hartmann Mission, Hartmannganj
  To: Janhit Sadan, Naini, Prayagraj
  Role: Director – DDWS/Asst. Parish Priest at St. Don Bosco Church
  Effective Date: June 18, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Wilson Cornelio
  From: St. Peter’s Church/School, Akbarpur
  To: St. Francis Church/School, Anpara
  Role: Asst. Parish Priest/Principal
  Effective Date: June 23, 2025
• Rev. Fr. Sebastian D’Cruz
  From: Vianney Niketan (Nazareth Hospital)
  To: Vianney Niketan (Geriatric Centre), Prayagraj
  Role: Resident Priest
  Effective Date: Arrival on July 1, 2025
• Rev. Dn. Ratnesh Masih
  From: [No previous posting indicated]
  To: Dostpur Mission
  Role: Asst. Parish Priest
  Effective Date: June 25, 2025
  (Notably, this transfer is scheduled a year later than the others.)
• Rev. Dn. Gnanaprakasam
  From: [No previous posting indicated]
  To: Mudila Mission
  Role: Asst. Parish Priest
  Effective Date: June 25, 2025
• Bro. Avish Lakra
  From: [No previous posting indicated]
  To: Asnaband Mission
  Role: Regent
  Effective Date: June 1, 2025

The announcements underscore a strategic objective by the diocese to realign its pastoral resources in response to evolving community needs. The transfers not only aim to rejuvenate spiritual leadership at several key locations but also reinforce the educational mission of the diocese, with numerous priests assuming responsibilities as school principals and educational officers.

Bishop Mascarenhas emphasized in his letter that these changes are implemented with careful consideration to ensure that new administrators are well-equipped to manage both pastoral and administrative functions. The Bishop’s directives also stress the importance of maintaining complete records and orderly transitions, mandating that no new appointments be processed once the transfer list is finalized.

As the Diocese of Allahabad enters this phase of dynamic restructuring, the clergy involved are entrusted with the dual responsibility of shepherding their congregations and advancing diocesan education and mission work. With the pastoral calendar set amidst the Lenten and Easter seasons, the Diocese anticipates that these fresh appointments will foster renewed community spirit and effective ministry across its regions.