CCBI Appoints Four Priests to Key National Responsibilities
New Delhi, September 19, 2026 (CCBI): The Executive Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CCBI), at its meeting held in Bengaluru from September 15 to 16, 2026, appointed four priests to key responsibilities within the conference.
The appointments are as follows:
Fr Darsi Don Bosco, a priest of the Diocese of Vijayawada, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Secretary of the CCBI.
Born on April 8, 1981, in Nuzvid, Fr Don Bosco holds degrees in Philosophy and Theology from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. He pursued higher studies in Theology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven, Belgium, including doctoral and postdoctoral studies. He has also obtained degrees in English Literature, including MPhil qualifications, from Osmania University and Madurai Kamaraj University.
He has served as a parish priest, youth animator, and seminary professor. He has also been Visiting Faculty at Vianney College, Eluru, and a professor at St Joseph’s Seminary College, Louisiana, USA. He founded Prerana, a youth animation centre in the Diocese of Vijayawada.
Fr Don Bosco has been closely involved in Talitha Cumi Unnati, an initiative of the Diocese of Vijayawada focused on the protection, education, spiritual formation and empowerment of vulnerable girls and young women.
Fr Stephen Arun Lobo, OFM Cap., a priest of the Holy Trinity Province of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins, Karnataka, has been appointed Executive Secretary to the Commission for Ecology of the CCBI.
Ordained a priest in 2001, Fr Arun Lobo has over 25 years of experience in pastoral ministry, social action and Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) animation, particularly among rural, tribal and marginalised communities in Karnataka.
He has served as director of various social action institutions of the Capuchin Province, including Vimukti Charitable Trust, Asha Kiran Centre for De-addiction and Counselling, Vimukti Social Action Cell and Capuchin Krishik Seva Kendra.
Fr Arun Lobo holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University, New York, specialising in Administration and Macro Leadership, as well as an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance from the same university. He has also completed studies in Human Resource Management, Theology and Social Work.
Fr Prathap Kumar Maripi, a priest of the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam, has been appointed Secretary to the Commission for Family of the CCBI.
Born on January 8, 1988, in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, Fr Prathap Kumar was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam on March 31, 2016.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St Xavier’s Degree College, Pendurthi, and a Bachelor of Theology from Vijnananilayam, Eluru. He also holds a Master’s degree in English from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Family Therapy from the Payten Institute for Families, Bengaluru.
He has completed the Development Dynamics Course at the Caritas Institute of Development Action and Learning (CIDAL), India, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Education.
Since his ordination, Fr Prathap has served in various pastoral and formation ministries, including as Assistant Parish Priest, Vice Rector of St Ann’s Minor Seminary and Parish Priest.
Since 2024, he has served as Secretary of the Diocesan Family and Laity Commission of the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam. He has also been serving as Regional Secretary of the TCBC Family and Laity Commission.
Fr Alexander Jesudasan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Bhopal, has been appointed National Chaplain of the Young Catholic Students/Young Students Movement (YCS/YSM).
Born on September 24, 1981, in M.R. Palayam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Fr Alexander was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Bhopal on May 2, 2009.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from BSSS College, Bhopal; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hindi; a Bachelor of Theology from St Charles Seminary, Nagpur; and a Bachelor of Education. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology.
Since his ordination, Fr Alexander has served in various pastoral and youth ministries. He has been Assistant Youth Director and Youth Director of the Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Bhopal and Regional Youth Director of the Madhya Pradesh Region.
He has also served as Secretary to the Archbishop of Bhopal, Director of the Divine Retreat Centre, Bhopal, and Director of the Family Commission.
Since 2023, he has been serving as Parish Priest of Vishwajyoti Catholic Church, Ichhawar; Manager of Vishwajyoti Convent School; and Director of Vishwajyoti Boys and Girls Hostel in the Archdiocese of Bhopal.
With his extensive experience in youth ministry, pastoral formation, education, and family ministry, Fr Alexander Jesudasan is expected to contribute to the growth and animation of YCS/YSM and the formation of young people in the Church in India.
— Dr Stephen Alathara