Bangalore — Fr. Deepak K. J. Thomas, OCD will take charge as the Secretary of the CBCI Commission for Youth from August 15, on the day of independence.

Under this responsibility he will also serve as the National Youth Director of ICYM, YCS/YSM and other youth organisations of Catholic Church in India. CBCI Standing committee held at Bangalore from April 22-24, has appointed him to this prestigious position to serve the youth of India.

Fr. Deepak K. J. Thomas was born on March 8, 1978, at Silvergate, Kulshekar, Mangalore. He belongs to St. Joseph’s the Worker Church, Vamanjoor. He did his Basic Education at St. Joseph’s, Kulshekar, then High School at St. Raymond’s, Vamanjoor, PUC at Sacred Heart College, Madyanthayar, B.Com Degree at Karnataka Open University, Mysore.

He studied Theology at St. Joseph’s Inter Diocesan Seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore. He holds M.Th.in youth ministry from the Kristu Jothi College, Bangalore. He joined the Religious Life on July 23, 1993, St. Joseph Monastery, Carmel hill, Mangalore, Professed on December 14, 1997. He was Ordained for the congregation on December 30, 2005. After his Ordination he served as Asst. Priest at St. Joseph’s Church, Mira Road also he was incharge of Youth and SCC Director. He was Asst. Priest at St. John the Baptist’s Church, Vijayanagar, Bangalore.

At time of appointment he was the Parish Priest at St. Mary’s Church, Hegdenagar, Bangalore as well as Director of Carmel Welfare Centre, Geddalahalli, Bangalore, Udupitoday reported.

Present Secretary Rev. Fr. Franklin D’Souza from the Diocese of Shimoga completes his term on August 15th, 2015.

Fr. Deepak will take charge on the same day at New Delhi. Fr. Franklin has served the youth tirelessly. He has done a commendable job by blending spirituality with secular leadership. Being Charismatic preacher and trainer he had done justice to his mission in building up of the youth of the Nation. He credits all his success to Lord Jesus, who inspired him to inspire others.