ASIA/INDIA - Appointment of the Bishop of Diphu

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Holy Father Francis, on 26 July 2013, appointed Rev.do Paul Mattekatt of the clergy of Diphu, Pastor and Director of the Catholic school in Japrajan as Bishop of the Diocese of Diphu (India).
Rev.do Paul Mattekatt was born in Kerela on June 1, 1961, and comes from a Catholic family of Syro-Malabar Church. He studied at St. Paul's Seminary, at St. Anthony's College and Christ the King College, in Shillong. He then carried out the period of "regency" in the parishes of Dokmoka and Chokihola, teaching in local parochial schools and carrying out pastoral internship in the villages. He completed Theology at the Papal Seminary in Pune. On December 31, 1988 he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Diphu.
After ordination he held the following positions: 1989-1991: Assistant priest of the Holy Family Parish, in Japralangso, and Vice-Dean of the local parish school; 1991-1996: Bishop’s Secretary and diocesan chancellor of Diphu; 1996-1999: studies for the Licentiate in Canon Law in Rome at the Pontifical Urbaniana University and Graduate Diploma in Canon Law at the same University. He also spent a short time in England, at the St. Anselm Institute of Kent, where he obtained a Diploma in Pastoral Counselling; 1999-2005: Treasurer and Director of the Diocesan Social Work Office; 2005-2008: Parish Vicar of the Christ Iyoti Parish in Dokmoka; since 2008: Pastor of the Holy Family parish, in Japrajan, and Dean of the annexed parish school. He is also President of the Priestly Fraternity of the Diocese of Diphu. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 29/07/2013)