About ACEIUP

Association of Catholic Educational Institutions is a non-governmental Organization, representing Catholic Schools in U.P. and Uttarakhand. It was founded in 1985 and Registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.

Most Rev. Dr. Alan De Lastic of happy memories reading the signs of the times and foreseeing the challenges we have to face, initiated the process of forming an Association of Catholic Schools in U.P. with just 42 member schools on roll at the first meeting on 21st Jan. 1985, in Lucknow and gave it a definite shape. Under his able and dynamic leadership and expertise as the 1st President of the Association it was registered as a society and ever since it has taken deep roots, till 1990, when he was transferred as the Archbishop of Delhi. We recall with gratitude the incredible role played by Most Rev. Dr. Alan De Lastic in organizing the Catholic Schools of U.P and U.K. laying the foundation of this Association and giving it the momentum required.

Most Rev. Dr. Isidore Fernandes, the Vice President of the Association functioned as the officiating President, till Most Rev. Dr. Albert D' Souza took the reigns of the Association when he was elected as the President at the 7th Annual General Body Meeting on 10th September 1992. His tireless efforts, constant guidance and inspiration has gone a long way to make this Association effective and energetic, vital and vibrant.

We do acknowledge with immense gratitude the vital role played by Most Rev. Dr. Isidore Fernandes as the Vice President and officiating President of the Association, for its growth from the time of its inception and accompanied its journey very closely over these years with his inspiring presence and guidance.

Thereafter Most Rev. Dr. Gerald John Mathias took the responsibility of the Association and he is continuing to be its President till date. His constant support, guidance, inspiration and benign presence keep the flame still burning steadily. Under his dynamic leadership the roots have gone still deeper, spreading its branches wider.


We express our sincere thanks to Most Rev. Dr. Francis Kalist, the Vice president of the Association, elected in the General Body Meeting of the Association in September 2009 at Varanasi, for his readiness to contribute his resources for the growth of the Association. With deep appreciation we place on record our sincere gratitude to Most Rev. Francis Kalist, the Vice President of the Association for his dedicated service, commitment, collaboration, guidance, advice, insights and support during his tenure from 2009 to 2021. As he has assumed the new responsibility as the Archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore, we assure our prayerful support for the success of his Episcopal ministry. We warmly welcome Most Rev. Eugene Joseph, Bishop of Varanasi nominated by the Regional Bishops as the new Vice President of the Association. We Congratulate and pray for God’s choicest blessings on him. We look eagerly for his guidance and valuable contributions towards the growth of the Association.

We place on record the selfless services and the tireless efforts of the past secretaries to take the Association to greater and greater heights in its effectiveness by disseminating valuable information, taking the actions when required, rendering timely assistance to the institutions, providing legal advices etc. Thanks to Most Rev. Oswald Lewis, the present Bishop of Jaipur, the first secretary of the Association for giving it a definite shape and form, for his committed and devoted service and for meticulously maintaining all the records at the initial stages.

We do appreciate the services of Rev. Fr. Lawrence Pinto of Lucknow Diocese, Rev. Fr. Pius D'Souza of Bareilly Diocese (Present Bishop of Ajmer), Rev. Fr. Paul Rodrigues of Lucknow Diocese who followed the same path.

The long cherished need for a full time secretary for the Association was realized in January 2007 when Sr. Patricia UMI was appointed as the Secretary and she continued till October 2014. We do express our gratitude to Sr. Patricia UMI for her commendable and dedicated services for the Association for seven and half years. We wish all God's choicest blessings in her future ministry.

We place on record our sincere gratitude to Ms. Leena Rodrigues from the Institute of the Maids of the Poor for her selfless and dedicated service to the Association as its Secretary in the past eight and half years since November 2014. Her hard work, meticulous planning, precision, eye for minute details are all well appreciated and gratefully acknowledged. We wish her all success in all her future endeavors.

The President of the Association has appointed Sr. Smitha. HCM as the Secretary of the Association.She has taken charge from 1st May 2023.

The Association has grown in its quality and quantity over the years. From a mere 42 members at the first meeting, the strength of the Association has hiked to 468 at present. Efforts are on the way to bring the remaining few institutions of U.P. and Uttarakhand under this fold. From a two hours Annual General Body Meeting at the initial stages, we felt the need of extending the duration of the meeting to two days. The first day is devoted to a full day seminar on various themes. Governing Body Meetings are held twice/thrice a year in which the members share the information, discuss the latest issues pertaining to education and decisions are made. The bimonthly News Letter keeps the Heads of institutions inspired and informed of various issues.