AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - Coadjutor Bishop of Port-Berge appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on November 24, 2008, appointed Fr. Georges Varkey Puthiyakulangara, M.E.P., Diocesan Director of Catholic Education, of the Diocese of Mahajanga, as Coadjutor Bishop of Port-Berge.
Fr. Georges Varkey Puthiyakulangara, M.E.P. was born on January 26, 1953, in Endoor, Diocese of Tellicherry (India). He comes from a Christian family of the Syro-Malabar rite. After completing primary school in the Minor Seminary of Mangalore, he attended high school in Mysore, and later studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore, finishing with a Bachelor's Degree in Theology. He later earned a degree in Social Communications in the state of Andhra Pradesh. He was ordained a priest on May 31, 1982, for the Diocese of Chikmagalur, Karnataka (India). After his priestly ordination, he ministered as follows: 1982-1985: parish vicar at St. Anthony Parish, Diocese of Chikmagalur; at the same time, he taught History and English at St. Philomena's High School, Hassan; 1985-1986: in Paris, studying French (residing with the MEP Fathers; 1986-1987: went to Madagascar as a fidei donum priest for the Diocese of Mahajanga; 1987-1990: parish vicar of Mandritsara, now the Diocese of Port-Berge; 1990-1995: with the M.E.P. in Paris, until becoming a full-fleged member in 1995; 1992-1995: parish vicar in Mahabibo; 1992-1997: Chaplain of Caritas and the city jails in Mahajanga; Diocesan Economist of the Holy Childhood Association, Assistant of the Diocesan Pontifical Mission Societies;1997-2004: Administrative Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of Madagascar. Since 2005, he has been in the Diocese of Mahajanga, as Diocesan Director of Catholic Education and parish assistant on Sunday, in Victoire Rasoamanarivo. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 25/11/2008)