ASIA/MYANMAR - Appointment of the Auxiliary Bishop of Taunggyi

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on 28 June 2008, appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Taunggyi (Myanmar) Rev. Basilio Athai, Rector of St. Michael's Major Propaedeutic Seminary in Taunggyi, assigning to him the titular See of Tasaccora.
The Bishop elect was born on 22 July 1956 a Kyekadaw (State of Kayah), diocese of Loikaw (Myanmar) . He attended local schools and then read Geography at the University of Taunggyi. After a period of ecclesiastical formation at St Teresa Minor Seminary Taunggyi, he completed in studies in philosophy and theology at Yangon Major Seminary.
He was ordained a priest on 1 April 1984 for the diocese of Loikaw. Since then he has ministered as follows: 1984-1986: assistant priest at Hwary (then diocese of Taunggyi); 1986-1989: assistant priest at Taunggyi Cathedral; 1989-1991: Professor of philosophy at Mandalay archdiocesan major seminary; 1991-1993: parish priest at Dorokohu (diocese of Loikaw); 1993-1996: Studies for a Licentiate in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical Urban University; 1996-2005: parish priest Nanattaw (diocese of Loikaw). Since 2005 he has been Rector of St. Michael's Major Propaedeutic Seminary in Taunggyi. He is a member of three diocesan bodies, the Council of Priests, the College of Consultors and the Pastoral Council. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/7/2008)