Oswald Gracias was born in Mahim, Mumbai, on 24 December 1944. Ordained a priest on 20 December 1970, he took a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Urbaniana University and a diploma in jurisprudence at the Gregorian, then served as chancellor of the Bombay archdiocese. He was appointed titular Bishop of Bladia and Auxiliary of Bombay on 28 June 1997.
On 7 September 2000 he became Archbishop of Agra, and on 14 October 2006 Archbishop of Bombay, a post he held until January 2025. A canonist by training, he has led nearly every bishops' body in the region: president of the Latin bishops' conference (CCBI) from 2005 to 2011 and again since 2013, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) from 2010 to 2014, and president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) since 2011.
Benedict XVI created him a cardinal on 24 November 2007, with the title of San Paolo della Croce a Corviale; he voted in the conclave of 2013. On 13 April 2013 Francis named him one of the original members of the Council of Cardinals, renewed in 2023.
Major Works & Initiatives
Archbishop of Bombay
Nearly two decades leading India's greatest Catholic city.
President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences
Spokesman for the bishops of Asia.
Council of Cardinals
An original member of Francis's advisory council, renewed in 2023.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.