Release Date: April 2,2022
Cincinnati’s Fr. Earl K. Fernandes Appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, announced today that Father Earl K. Fernandes, of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, has been appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus in Ohio. Bishop-elect Fernandes will be the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Columbus. The diocese has been under the governance of a diocesan administrator since Bishop Robert J. Brennan was installed as Bishop of Brooklyn in November of 2021. Bishop-elect Fernandes will be consecrated and installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus on Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
A press conference welcoming Bishop-elect Fernandes will be held at 10:30 a.m. this morning, in Columbus. For members of the media unable to attend, a public livestream of the press conference will be available here.
Bishop-elect Fernandes was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 2002. Most recently he has been serving as pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Cincinnati since 2019. Bishop-elect Fernandes has faithfully served the people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in many leadership roles throughout the last 20 years. He served as dean, pastor, parochial vicar, seminary academic dean and associate professor, and high school teacher. He holds a doctorate of moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy in Rome. He is the published author of one book and numerous articles and essays and has given presentations, talks, and retreats around the country. He has been a regular contributor to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s magazine The Catholic Telegraph.
Bishop-elect Fernandes is a native of Toledo, Ohio, the fourth of five boys, and the son of Indian immigrants. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo and came to Cincinnati to study at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine before discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Additional biographical information about Bishop-elect Fernandes is available on the archdiocesan website: www.catholicaoc.org/bishopelectfernandes.
Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr has released the following letter to the faithful announcing the appointment:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today the Holy See announced that Pope Francis has appointed Father Earl K. Fernandes of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati the thirteenth bishop of the Diocese of Columbus. Father Fernandes will be consecrated and installed on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. We will miss his incredible intellect, unflagging energy, and concern for all people, but know that these traits will serve him well as he expands his ministry to shepherd the faithful people of Columbus.
Bishop-elect Fernandes has ministered to the people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in many ways since his ordination to the priesthood on May 18, 2002. Over the past 20 years, he has served as dean, pastor, parochial vicar, seminary academic dean and associate professor, high school teacher, retreat leader, and regular contributor to The Catholic Telegraph and other publications. Father Fernandes also served on the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. for three and a half years. Through all his assignments, Father Fernandes has been an ever-joyful witness to the goodness, beauty and truth of the Catholic faith.
Please join me in congratulating Bishop-elect Fernandes on this joyous news. Let us keep our beloved brother in prayer as he starts this new ministry.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr
Archbishop of Cincinnati
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 44th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with more than 450,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with more than 40,000 students. The 19-county territory includes 211 parishes and 111 Catholic primary and secondary schools.
Jennifer Schack
Director of Media Relations
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Office | 513.263.6618
Cell | 859.512.5626
