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Two New Provincials Appointed for Tiruchy and Kolkata Salesian Provinces
News written by: Bastin Nellissery (INK)
The Salesian Congregation in India entered a renewed phase of leadership as the Rector Major, with the consent of the General Council, announced new appointments for two key provinces in the South Asian region. Fr. Doss Kennedy has been appointed the sixth Provincial of the Salesian Province of Our Lady of Velankanni, Tiruchy (INT), for the term 2026–2032, while Fr. Sunil Kerketta has been nominated as the Provincial designate of the Salesian Province of Saint John Bosco, Kolkata (INC). Both appointments reflect the Congregation’s commitment to strengthening pastoral presence, formation, and youth animation in India’s diverse contexts.
Fr. Doss Kennedy succeeds Fr. Agilan Sarprasadam after decades of service marked by pastoral dedication and leadership in formation, youth ministry, and community accompaniment. Born on 20 June 1965 in Kovilpatti, he made his first profession on 24 May 1984 and was ordained on 29 December 1995 after theological formation at Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore. Over the years, he has served in multiple roles—Assistant Parish Priest, Rector, Parish Priest, Dean of Studies, Provincial Councillor, Delegate for Formation, Delegate for Youth Ministry, and Vice Provincial. He currently serves as Rector of Don Bosco Renewal Centre, Bangalore. Renowned for his spiritual depth, simplicity, and fraternal presence, he assumes leadership at a time when the Tiruchy Province continues to expand its apostolic commitments.
The Salesian Province of Tiruchy, inaugurated in 1999, has grown from 148 confreres at its inception to 251 members today, spread across 30 communities. Its ministries include 21 educational institutions, 11 parishes, homes for at-risk youth, technical institutes, and formation houses, further supported by engaged lay collaborators such as Past Pupils, ADMA and Salesian Cooperators.
In a separate appointment, the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, announced on 2 December the nomination of Fr. Sunil Kerketta as the 18th Provincial of the Kolkata Province, succeeding Fr. Joseph Pauria. The Province of Kolkata, one of the oldest in the South Asian Salesian landscape, comprises 263 confreres and extends across India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Through its 40 communities, it animates parish ministry, technical schools, higher education, youth centres, boardings, and social development initiatives. The Province traces its origins to 1926, when the first Salesian Province of India was established, and has since evolved through reorganisations over the decades.
Born in Birta Girjatoli village in Jharkhand, Fr. Sunil Kerketta received early Salesian formation through Don Bosco institutions in Ranchi, Bandel and Sonada. He made his first profession in 1994 and was ordained on 14 December 2003. Before his appointment, he served as Vice-Provincial, Formation Delegate, Salesian Family Delegate, and held responsibilities as youth animator, pre-novitiate director, vocation promoter, and administrator. Rooted in pastoral sensitivity and youth accompaniment, his leadership is expected to continue strengthening formation and mission across a vast intercultural territory. The date of his installation is yet to be announced.
As both leaders prepare to guide their respective Provinces in continuing Don Bosco’s mission among the young and the marginalised, the BOSCOM South Asia Team extends its heartfelt congratulations and prayerful wishes to Fr. Doss Kennedy and Fr. Sunil Kerketta for a fruitful and grace-filled ministry.
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