Pope transfers Bishop William D'Souza of Buxar to Patna Archdiocese

(Oct. 1, 2007) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday appointed a new archbishop to Patna in eastern India’s Bihar state. He transferred Jesuit Bishop William D’Souza of Buxar, also in Bihar, to Patna archdiocese, elevating him to the rank of an archbishop. Bishop D’Souza succeeds fellow Jesuit Archbishop John Osta who stepped down on reaching the retirement age of 75. The 61-year old Bishop Willian D’Souza has been bishop for less than two years. When Pope Benedict created the new diocese of Buxar on December 12, 2005, he had appointed Bishop D’Souza as its first bishop. A former Jesuit provincial of Patna, he was born in Madanthar, in the southern Indian diocese of Mangalore in Karnataka state. He was ordained priest in 1976 for the Jesuits of Patna province, following which he served in various posts, such as novice master, rector of minor seminary, parish priest, diocesan administrator and rector of Jesuit communities.
Patna diocese was erected in 1919, and archbishop John Osta was appointed its bishop in 1980. The diocese was elevated to the rank of archdiocese in 1999. Archbishop Osta retired after heading Patna archdiocese for 27 years.