Chandigarh, May 14: Reverend Sahaya Thatheus Thomas was officially appointed as the sixth bishop of the Simla-Chandigarh Diocese in a solemn ceremony attended by clergy, religious, and lay faithful from across the region.
The appointment, made by former Pope Francis, was formally read out during the rite, which marked a significant transition for one of North India’s most geographically diverse Catholic dioceses.
“This is a moment of profound responsibility and grace,” Bishop Thomas said after assuming his new pastoral role.
“I am committed to walking with the people of this diocese in faith and service.”
Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto of Delhi served as the principal consecrator during the installation, joined by Bishop Ignatius L. Mascarenhas and Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias as co-consecrators.
Born on November 6, 1971, in Chinnavilai, Tamil Nadu, Bishop Thomas moved to North India in 1988 to begin his ecclesiastical journey with the Simla-Chandigarh Diocese. He completed his priestly training in seminaries located in Lucknow and Jalandhar, and was ordained a Catholic priest on May 13, 2001.
His appointment follows decades of association with the diocese, which has shaped much of his spiritual and pastoral formation.
The Simla-Chandigarh Diocese, established in 1971 after being carved out from the Archdiocese of Delhi, covers a wide territory that includes the entire state of Himachal Pradesh, parts of Punjab (excluding areas under the Diocese of Jalandhar), and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
The diocese oversees numerous parishes, educational institutions, and social outreach initiatives, particularly in remote and mountainous regions where access to basic services remains limited.
With its headquarters in Sector 19, Chandigarh, the diocese has historically played a crucial role in promoting education, interfaith dialogue, and charitable outreach in North India. It maintains a strong network of Catholic schools, hospitals, and development programs.
Bishop Thomas succeeds Bishop Ignatius L. Mascarenhas, under whose tenure the diocese expanded its grassroots programs and reinforced its commitment to pastoral care in challenging terrains.
As the newly installed bishop takes up his mandate, the faithful across the diocese are looking to his leadership to sustain and deepen the Church’s mission in a culturally and religiously plural region.
“I have lived and served in this diocese for many years,” Bishop Thomas said, “and I believe our future lies in continued dialogue, compassion, and service.”
