Media Release

Udupi, Jan 27: Fr Dr John Mendonca, parish priest of Kanajar, took charge as the first judicial vicar of the diocese of Udupi on Friday January 25.

He made the profession of faith and took the oath of office before the bishop of Udupi in the bishop’s Chapel. The vicar general and a few others were present on the occasion of this meaningful ceremony.

After the ceremony, the bishop felicitated the judicial vicar. The bishop said that Fr John Mendonca who has a doctorate in Canon Law has helped him and collaborated with him from the very inception of the Udupi diocese in various ways, especially by writing the statues for the council of priests, the diocesan finance council and the college of consultors; and now writing the statues for the diocesan pastoral council.

Bishop said that Fr John has edited and published books on canon law which have been useful for him. Fr John has served not only in the diocesan level but also on the regional and national level especially as the secretary of the canon law society of India for several years.

Fr John Mendonca has served as judicial vicar of the diocese of Mangalore and the diocese of Karwar. He joined the Mangalore Diocesan Tribunal on June 6, 1989 and till now he has served in the tribunal in various capacities. He taught canon law at the St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore and has given various courses on canon law to priests and religious at various places. His ecclesiastical studies include: Diploma in philosophy, bachelors degree in theology, certificate course in liturgy, masters (Licentiate) in canon law and doctorate in canon law from Rome. While a student in Rome he had the privilege of serving at the congregation for divine worship and sacraments as defender of the bond (special commission).

His secular studies include a bachelor’s degree in arts and MA in political science. He has taught at the Milagres College, Kallianpur, for some time while he was the parish priest at Manipal.