Media Release

Bengaluru, May 2: Fr Gilbert Aranha (55), currently the executive secretary to the CCBI commission for Ecumenism and co-convener of Theological forum of United Christian Prayer of India (UCPI), is appointed as executive secretary to the Office of the Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs (OEIA) of Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC). This is a great honour for Karnataka as he is first priest to be chosen for this coveted position.

Fr Gilbert is a priest from the diocese of Mysuru in Karnataka. He was born on April 1, 1964 and was ordained priest on May 27, 1988. He holds doctorate and Jurisprudence in Canon Law from Pontifical Urbanian University, Rome. In addition, he also holds a diploma in canonical administration from Pontifical Congregation for the Clergy, Rome and a licentiate in ecumenism from Pontifical University of St Thomas Acquinas, Rome. He has done his master’s degree in history and political science from Mysuru University.

Fr Gilbert Aranha has served in the diocese of Mysore as associate priest of St Theresa Church, Mysuru South from 1988 to 1997. He was the director of social work center, Mysore CCF from 1990 to 1997. He served as a lecturer at St Philomena's College, Mysore till 1997. He also served as parish priests of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Kudlur and St Peter's Church, Bogadi, Mysuru from 2007 to 2013.

Fr Aranha also served as associate priest in the parishes of Taranto and Vicenza in Italy and Chaplain at St Martin's hospital in Genova, Italy. He was the associate priest in Spring Field diocese, Massachusetts, USA and archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, USA and Judge of the Archdiocesan Tribunal of Kansas city and Chaplain of St Francis Hospital, Kansas, Usa and Newman Centre, University of Massachusetts, USA.