Brother of Ohio Right to Life Board Member Named Bishop of Columbus Diocese
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Elizabeth Whitmarsh
DATE: Wednesday, April 6, 2022 PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Today, Ohio Right to Life congratulates Reverend Earl Fernandes for being appointed Bishop for the Diocese of Columbus. He will be installed on Tuesday, May 31st, making history as the first Indian-American bishop in the Catholic church. He is a Toledo, Ohio native where he earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Toledo and then moved to Cincinnati where he studied at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine before submitting to the call of priesthood.
Reverend Fernandes currently resides in Cincinnati where he is pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola Church and has served his community extensively since first being ordained as priest in 2002. Since then, he has served in many different roles, such as pastor, dean, professor, and high school teacher. In a letter distributed by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Reverend Dennis M Schnurr wrote “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 held a press conference where he expressed excitement and humility regarding his appointment, stating that he is interested in “working collaboratively with government officials” in order to “defend human life and dignity.”
He is the brother to Ohio Right to Life Board Member Ashley Fernandes and has been a strong proponent on the issue of life throughout his priesthood. “Our family is overjoyed that Pope Francis recognizes our brother’s deep love and commitment to the Lord. Father Earl, now Bishop-elect Fernandes, has a passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but also a passion for building the culture of life. The Diocese of Columbus will soon know what our family does already, that Bishop-elect Fernandes is a deeply spiritual, intellectual, and faithful man of God. We can’t wait to see him flourish in his new role,” said Ashley Fernandes.
Ohio Right to Life is thrilled to work with Bishop-elect Earl Fernandes in the fight for life and look forward to seeing what he’ll accomplish while serving in central Ohio.
Founded in 1967, Ohio Right to Life, with more than 45 chapters and local affiliates, is Ohio’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement in Ohio, ORTL works through legislation and education to promote and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death.
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