Bangalore 1 March, 2021 (CCBI): Most Rev. William D’Souza, S.J., (74) Emeritus Archbishop of Patna in Bihar took charge as assistant parish priest at St. Stephen’s church, Danapur in Cantonment area outside Patna city on Monday 1 March, 2021. The Archbishop William said that “parish ministry is close to my heart and I will avail myself for the spiritual ministry in the parish and religious communities within my competence.”
Archbishop William was noted for his for his simple lifestyle, approachability and closeness to mostly village people in the Archdiocese. He was resigned from the active Episcopal ministry as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Patna on 9 December 2020 at the age of 74.
He was born on 5 March 1946 at Madanthyar, Karnataka. He joined the Jesuit congregation and ordained priest on 3 May 1976. He did his philosophical studies in Shembanagur in Tamilnadu and theology at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeet in Pune. He was superior of Jesuit communities in various places. He served as rector of the minor seminary in Muzaffarpur, parish priests in different parishes, secretary to the bishop of Muzaffarpur and provincial of the Patna Jesuit province from 1995 to 2001.
He was appointed as the first Bishop newly created of Buxar on 12 December 2005 and ordained Bishop on 25 March 2006 on the feast day of annunciation at Mary Mother of Perpetual Help Cathedral Buxar. He was also the Administrator of Muzaffarpur diocese for a year. He was the parish priest of Itarhi in the district of Buxar at the time of his appointment as Bishop. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Patna on 1 October, 2007. He is a priest for 44 years and a Bishop for 14 years.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI