MUMBAI: 17th June -- "Dear Confreres, with great joy I announce to you the appointment of Fr. Loddy Pires as the first Superior of the vice province of the Konkan!" These words by Fr. Ivo Coelho, provincial Mumbai province, during the confreres' picnic on 10th June at Karjat were well received by all.

The news was conveyed to Fr.Loddy by the Rector Major Fr. Pascual Chavez via telephone on June 9, 2004. The Rector Major's reasoning was simple: "If I can run the congregation, my twin brother can run a province." The Rector Major and Fr.Loddy share their birthday as both were born on 20th December 1947.

Fr.Loddy has a long standing association with the Konkan region. As a young cleric, he did 2 years of practical training in DB Panjim (1970-72). His first assignment as a priest was once again in Panjim. He was Vice Principal and Prefect of Studies in 1976-77 and Vice Principal and Director of the Oratory in 77-78.

Loddy Pires joined DB Matunga as a student in 1956. Feeling a call to follow Don Bosco, he entered the aspirantate in Tirupattur in 1960. He made his first profession at Yercaud in 1965 and after his philosophical studies went on to complete his B.A. in Economics at Tirupattur. He was ordained on his birthday 20th December in 1975 at Matunga. After two years of work in Pajim as a priest, Fr. Loddy was sent to Rome to obtain a Master's degree in Spriritual Theology. Upon his return from Rome, he was appointed to the aspirantate in Lonavla, first as Vice Rector (1980) and then as Rector (1981). He remained Rector in Lonavla only for a year. In 1982 he was asked by Fr. Chrys Saldaha to be his Vice Provincial. In 1988, after a full six years as vice provincial, Fr. Loddy succeeded Fr. Chrys as Provincial of Mumbai. In 1990 he had the privilege of participating in GC23. Under his leadership, the province continued to expand: Jaitala , Madhya Maharashtra (1989), Tuem, Goa (1990), Sutgatti (Karnataka) (191), Betulm, Madhya Pradesh (1992), Alirajpur, MP (1992).

Upon finishing his term as provincial, Fr. loddy went to Loyola, Chicago for a two-year master's course in Pastoral Counselling. On returning, he was appointed Rector of the house of studies for the theologians at Koregaon Park, Pune. In the year 2002, he was appointed Provincial Councilor and head of the commission for Ongoing and Initial Formation. In 2003, he was asked to be Rector of DB Lonavla.

Extremely forthright and direct, Fr.Loddy is also very affectionate and warm-hearted. He is a deeply spiritual man with an earthy sense of humor. He has rendered much serice in spiritual direction and in his capacity as retreat preacher. Speaking of Fr. Loddy, the Provincial said: "He is gifted not only with great common sense but also with an uncommon insight into people and situations; he is a man of vision and of dynamism; and he can be very firm but also very fatherly."

Fr. Coelho also thanked God and thanked people instrumental for bringing this moment with a special mention of Fr. Romulo Noronha.

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