Matters India Reporter

Kolkata, Dec.15, 2019: Calcutta, the oldest Salesian province in India, on December 15 announced the appointment of a Santal priest as its 17th provincial.

The communique said, “The Rector Major, Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, has appointed Fr. Joseph Pauria, the present Vice Provincial, as the 17th Provincial of the Province of Calcutta.”

The announcement was made simultaneously in Rome and in Bandel at the conclusion of annual retreat for Salesians.

Father Pauria will assume office on May 31, 2020, after the present provincial Father Nirmol Gomes completes his term.

The Calcutta province was erected in 1926.

Father Pauria was born on January 14, 1965, at Azimganj in Murshidabad district of West Bengal to Thomas and Rita Pauria.

His father was the first catechist of the parish of Azimganj where evangelization was pioneered by the Salesians some six decades ago.

After competing his middle school education in Don Bosco Azimganj, he joined the aspirantate in Bandel and completed his Higher Secondary education.

Pauria entered the Novitiate in Siliguri in 1984 and made his first profession in 1985.

After his philosophy and graduation in Salesian College Sonada, and practical training, he joined Sacred Heart College Shillong for his theology studies.

Ordained priest in 1994 Father Pauria did his Masters in Catechetics at Kristu Jyoti College Bangalore and was assigned to Salesian College Sonada as a formator.

After completing his doctorate in Salesian Mission Spirituality from Salesian University Rome in 2009 Father Pauria returned to Sonada as a formator and professor.

In the meantime he was appointed as a member of the Provincial Council. After a brief stint as Parish Priest in Berhampore he was appointed as Vice Provincial in January 2016.

Father Pauria “brings along with him into his new role as Provincial excellent qualities of both head and heart,” outgoing provincial Gomes told Matters India.

“He has been a conscientious formator and an effective teacher. He is very versatile as a person, knowledgeable and is a good communicator. He shows maturity in his dealings and depth in his spirituality and Salesianity. He is very personal in his relationships and friendly with all categories of people. He has a pastoral heart and is very simple and unassuming,” he added.