ASIA/INDIA - Bishop of Kurnool nominated

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on February, 2008, nominated as Bishop of the diocese of Kurnool (India), Fr. Anthony Poola, diocesan priest from Cuddapah, Director of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging and Diocesan Consultant.
The new Bishop was born November 15, 1961 in Poluru, in the diocese of Kurnool. After attending the minor seminary of Nuzvid, he studied at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore, Karnataka state. He was ordained a priest on February 20, 1992 for the diocese of Cuddapah. Following his ordination, he worked in the following: 1992-1993: Assistant Pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral; 1993-1994: Assistant Pastor in Amagampalli; 1994-2001: Pastor in various parishes...1994 - 1995: in Tekurpet; 1995-200 in Badvel; 200-2001 in Veerapalli; From 2001-2003, he began studies for a master’s degree in pastoral healthcare and theology at the Loyola University of Chicago in the United States. Since 2004 he has been the director of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging. He is also a diocesan consultor, secretary for education, vice-director of schools of Cuddapah diocese and coordinator of sponsorship programmes. Created in 1967, the Kurnool diocese today has a total population of over 8.5 million: over 78,500 Catholics, 51 parishes, priests 103 (48 diocesan and 55 members of religious orders), 63 religious men, 335 religious women, and 24 seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/2/2008; righe 19, parole 219)