Rev. Dr. Leslie Clifford D'Souza named new Archbishop of Udupi Diocese
Udupi: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Dr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza as the new Archbishop of the Udupi diocese. He is currently serving as the priest of the Our Lady of Health Church in Shirva.
The appointment was officially announced in Rome on January 31 at 12 noon (4.30 pm IST) and simultaneously at the Milagres Cathedral in Kalyanpur, Udupi district.
Rev. Dr. Leslie began his education at Saraswati Mandir Senior Secondary School, Uchila (1969–1976), followed by his secondary education at Government Fisheries High School, Yermal (1976–1979). He completed his pre-university studies at Purna Prajna College (1979–1981).
He pursued priestly formation at St. Joseph’s Inter-Provincial Seminary, Mangaluru, where he studied philosophy and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mysore (1982–1985). He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome (1986–1990).
Rev. Dr. Leslie holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Mysore (1991–1993) and a Diploma in Depth Psychology and Formation from the Bangalore Institute of Psychology and Training (1993–1995). He further completed a Licentiate in Theology (1997–1999) and a Doctorate in Moral Theology (1999–2003) at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Mangalore on May 10, 1990. His priestly ministry began as an assistant priest at Holy Rosary Church, Kundapura (1990–1992), and later at Holy Cross Church, Kulasekara, Mangaluru (1992–1995).
He served as a professor and formator in moral theology at St. Joseph’s Inter-Provincial Seminary, Mangaluru (1995–1997), and continued as a visiting professor until 2013.
Rev. Dr. Leslie later served as parish priest of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pangla/Shankarpur (2010–2017), and Mount Rosary Church, Kalyanpur–Santekatte (2017–2022). During this period, he also held the responsibility of coordinator of educational institutions.
Since June 2022, he has been serving as parish priest of Shokamata Church, Shirva, and as coordinator of Don Bosco and St. Mary’s educational institutions. He has also played a key role in the administration and governance of the Diocese of Udupi.
He served as Secretary of the Council of Priests from 2022 to 2025 and currently holds multiple responsibilities, including Principal Religious Teacher of the Shirva Zone, Advocate of the Diocesan Tribunal of Udupi, and member of the Advisory Board (2023 to present).
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Terror threat: Security heightened near key religious, heritage sites in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Security was tightened across key religious and heritage sites in Delhi on Saturday, including areas around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk, following intelligence inputs suggesting a possible terror threat, an official said.
Security agencies issued an alert on a possible explosion threat near Red Fort, a major tourist destination and high-security zone, after Central intelligence agencies indicated that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has allegedly kept prominent religious places in India on its target list.
Sources said specific inputs suggested that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be among the potential targets.
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While the intelligence inputs are being verified and assessed, security has been stepped up in and around sensitive religious places and crowded public areas, they added.
Intelligence agencies indicated that LeT could be attempting to carry out an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-based attack. The alleged plan is reportedly linked to attempts by the terror group to avenge the February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, sources said.
Central agencies and Delhi Police units are maintaining close coordination, and surveillance has been intensified through CCTV monitoring, vehicle checks and deployment of additional personnel at vulnerable points. Bomb disposal squads, dog squads and quick reaction teams have also been placed on standby at strategic locations, they added.
The alert comes in the backdrop of the deadly car explosion near the historic Red Fort on November 10, 2025, which killed at least 13 people and injured more than 20 others. The blast occurred when a car loaded with explosives detonated near Gate No 1 of the Red Fort metro station, igniting multiple vehicles nearby and causing panic in the densely populated area.
Security agencies have urged people to remain vigilant and immediately inform police or emergency services about any suspicious objects or activity. However, officials said there is no cause for panic and that the measures are precautionary in nature.
Further intelligence gathering and verification of inputs are underway, an official said.
