Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 11: The annual elections for the year 2025–26 of the Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh (R), under the Mangaluru Diocese, were held today, Sunday, May 11, at the Bishop's House Hall, Mangaluru. Santosh D’Souza from Bajpe was unanimously elected as the new central president.

Before the elections began, the central spiritual director, Dr J B Saldanha, invoked prayers and offered reflections, recalling the recent election of the new Pope, Leo XIV, and guided the proceedings with a spiritual orientation.

Along with president Santosh D’Souza, the following office-bearers were elected unopposed:

• First vice president: Lawrence D’Souza, Surathkal

• Second vice president: Leo Rodrigues, Madanthyar

• General secretary: Vilma Monteiro, Derebail

• Assistant secretary: Alwyn Rodrigues, Alangar (Moodbidri)

• Treasurer: Francis Monteiro, Mariashram, Talapady

• Assistant treasurer: Laveena Gretta D’Souza, Ranipura

The elections were conducted by former president Lancy D’Cunha, who served as the election officer, and Jerry Peter Rodrigues, who was the election observer.

All the newly elected office-bearers were congratulated and felicitated by spiritual director Dr J B Saldanha, immediate past president Alwyn D’Souza of Panir, and former central presidents Walter D’Souza, Marito Siqueira, L J Fernandes, Gerald D’Costa, Jerry Peter Rodrigues, Andrew Noronha, Lancy D’Cunha, Nigel Pereira, Anil Lobo, Pleavy D’Souza, Paul Rolfie D’Costa, and Stany Lobo. Also present and offering their congratulations were valaya presidents Roshan Boniface Martis, Leo Siqueira, Stany Miranda, Albert Sunil Monis, Joan Lasrado, Ida Furtado, Dolphy D’Souza, Gerald Mascarenhas, and all members of the executive committee.