- Feb 5, 2002
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Bishop Earl K. Fernandes was appointed as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Columbus by Pope Francis in April 2022. A native of Toledo, Ohio, Bishop Fernandes is the first Indian-American to lead a U.S. diocese. He previously served in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, where he held various roles, including dean of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and pastor of St. Ignatius Loyola parish. Fluent in multiple languages, Bishop Fernandes is a prolific writer and speaker, with expertise in moral theology and seminary formation. His passion for the Gospel, combined with his diverse experience of service to the Church, makes him a dynamic leader dedicated to serving the faithful of Columbus.
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www.oursundayvisitor.com
Our Sunday Visitor: You’ve doubled the number of vocations over the past two years. Could you share the specific strategies or programs that contributed to this growth?
Bishop Earl Fernandes: When I was ordained a bishop, I announced to the Diocese of Columbus that more bishops were being ordained than priests. People chuckled, but I was being serious. It really raised awareness of the need to pray for vocations in a more profound way. At the same time, we were undergoing pastoral planning, which included parish mergers and closures. This underscored the need for more priests.Continued below.
An impressive surge in priestly vocations
Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus shares how he has encouraged vocations in his diocese, resulting in 26 new seminarians in two years.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
