Pune: Fr Simon Almeida Appointed As New Bishop Of Poona Diocese
Pune: Fr Simon Almeida Appointed As New Bishop Of Poona Diocese
Pune, November 2, 2025: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr Simon Almeida, aged 65, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Poona. Fr Almeida, who is currently serving as Deputy Secretary of the Western Regional Bishops’ Council and Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Church in Ghorpadi, will succeed Bishop John Rodrigues. Bishop Rodrigues was appointed as the Coadjutor Archbishop of Bombay in November 2024.
Born on November 4, 1960, in Gass, Bhatori, Fr Almeida completed his schooling at St Gonsalo Garcia Primary School and Holy Cross High School, Nirmal.
He joined Prakash Bhavan Minor Seminary in Pune in 1978 and later pursued philosophical and theological studies at St Pius X College, Mumbai. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Poona on April 1, 1990.
Fr Almeida holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Bombay. He also obtained a Diploma in Foundations for Pastoral Renewal and Steward Leadership from the East Asian Pastoral Institute, Manila, and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Ateneo de Manila University.
Over his 35 years of priesthood, Fr Almeida has served in several key pastoral and administrative roles within the diocese. His responsibilities have included serving as Assistant Parish Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Ignatius Parish, Kirkee; Rector of Prakash Bhavan Minor Seminary; and Parish Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral, St Francis Xavier Parish in Chinchwad, St Anne’s Church in Sholapur Bazaar, and St John Paul II Church in Wakad. He has also served as the Financial Administrator of the Diocese and has been a long-standing member of the Diocesan Priests’ Council and Diocesan Consultor.
