Fr. P. Samson Shukardin OFM, new bishop of Hyderabad, Pakistan

The Holy Father  has appointed Fr. P. Samson Shukardin OFM, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Hyderabad, Pakistan  as the new bishop of the same Diocese.

Fr. P. Samson Shukardin OFM, was born on January 29,  1961 in Hyderabad , Pakistan.  After his high school studies he entered the Order of Friars Minor and took his simple vows in 1987 and solemn vows in 1991.  He completed his graduation in Art at the Sindh University  in  Jamsharo and Theology at the National Catholic Institute of Theology in Karachi. He was ordained priest on December 10, 1993. 

After his ordination  he rendered service as the assistant priest in the diocese of Islamabad.  He completed his Civil Law and was appointed the Prosecutor of the Franciscan province.  He was the guardian of the Franciscan order and President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Pakistan.  He was also the Diocesan Director of the Commission for Justice and Peace and director of AsIPA ( formation of small Christian communities). From 2010 he was serving as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Hyderabad. 

The Diocese of Hyderabad in Pakistan (1958), is the suffragan of the Archdiocese of Karachi, with an  area of 137 386 square kilometers and a population of 22,309,840 of which 47,242 are Catholics. There are 15 parishes, served by 30 priests (11 diocesan and 19 religious), 89 nuns, and 6 seminarians.