The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has appointed Fr John Barman MSFS as the new Associate Executive Secretary to the Youth Commission. A priest from the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS), Guwahati Province, Fr Barman brings with him a wealth of experience in youth ministry and pastoral leadership.
Born on 12 August 1981 in Machkhowa, Dhemaji District, Assam, Fr Barman was ordained a priest on 13 January 2008. Over the past 17 years, he has served the Church in various capacities, always with a strong commitment to youth formation and faith animation.
He has been at the forefront of youth ministry as the Director of the Fransalian Youth Movement (FYM) in Northeast India and later in the Guwahati Province. He also served as Director of the Fransalian Music Academy and was the Coordinator of Vocations for his province. Since 2022, he has been serving as a Provincial Councillor of the MSFS Guwahati Province.
Fr Barman currently holds multiple key roles. He is the Regional Secretary of the Northeastern Regional Youth Commission under the Northeast India Regional Bishops’ Council, Director of ICYM Northeast, and Chaplain of the YCS/YSM movement in the region.
He has represented the Indian Church at global events, including World Youth Day in Poland (2016) and Portugal (2022), and more recently, the 2025 Seminar on Ending Gospel Poverty in Malaysia.
A skilled communicator, Fr Barman is fluent in English, Hindi, Nepali, Assamese, and Khasi, enabling him to connect with diverse youth groups across the country.
Academically, he holds degrees in philosophy, theology, and a master’s in public administration. He also has a postgraduate diploma in software audio engineering and electronic music production skills he uses to reach young people through modern and creative platforms.
