Mangaluru, Nov 22: Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore has appointed Rev. Dr John Baptist Saldanha as the new Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the diocese of Mangalore for a period of three years. He will assume office today, November 22, 2021 and will work along with Roy Castelino, the Lay PRO appointed last year.
He succeeds Fr Vijay Victor Lobo, procurator, diocese of Mangalore who was holding this office so far. Currently, Fr J B Saldanha serves as the Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier’s Church, Bejai Church and Manager of the prestigious Lourdes Central School, Bejai. In addition, Fr J B Saldanha has been also appointed as the diocesan spiritual director of Catholic Sabha with effect from November 15. This office was lying vacant due to the sudden demise of Fr Mathew Vas.
Fr J B Saldanha has earlier served as the Professor and Head of Chair in Christianity, Mangalore University. He holds a Ph.D. from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and MA in Sociology (Osmania University), MA in Applied Ethics (Leuven University, Belgium), MA in Religious Studies (Leuven University, Belgium), diploma in Depth Counselling and Diploma in Developmental Journalism. He has authored several books and religious articles.