NESCOM, Guwahati | 14 February 2026

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Francisco Antonio Agnelo Jacinto Pinheiro of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Sindhudurg. The announcement was made on 14 February 2026.

At the time of his appointment, Bishop-designate Pinheiro was serving as Professor of Philosophy at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, Goa, where he has been a member of the faculty since 2017.

Born on 6 July 1972 in Raia, Goa, he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol from 1991 to 1993 and from 1996 to 2000. Between these periods, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Goa University (1993–1996).

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman on 28 October 2000. Following his ordination, he served as Assistant Pastor at St. Alex Church, Calangute, from 2000 to 2001.

Fr. Pinheiro later obtained a Master’s degree in Philosophy from the Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Pune (2002–2004). He subsequently pursued doctoral studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 2013 to 2016, earning a Doctorate in Philosophy.

In addition to his academic responsibilities, he served as Administrator of St. Joseph Church, Dramapur, from 2022 to 2023. In 2018, he was appointed in charge of the Apostolate of Interreligious Dialogue in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.

The Diocese of Sindhudurg, located in Maharashtra, now welcomes Bishop-designate Pinheiro as its new shepherd. His academic background and pastoral experience are expected to guide his episcopal ministry in the region.