ASIA/INDIA - Appointment of the Bishop of Kannur

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On February 1, 2014, the Holy Father appointed Fr. Alex Joseph Vadakumthala, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Verapoly as Bishop of Kannur (India).
Fr. Alex Joseph Vadakumthala was born on June 14, 1959, in Maradu-Panangad, District of Ernakulam in the Archdiocese of Verapoly. He began his studies in Panangad then continued at St. Joseph's Minor Seminary in Ernakulam. He completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology at the Seminary of Pune. He was ordained a priest on December 19, 1984 at the Cathedral of Verapoly and incardinated in the same archdiocese.
Since ordination he has served in various pastoral and diocesan roles: 1984: Assistant priest in the Cathedral of Verapoly; 1985-1988: St. Philominas' Church, Koonammavu; 1988-1992: Studies in Rome for a Doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urbaniana University; 1993-1999: Official at the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Health Care; 1999-2009: Secretary General of the CBCI Commission for Health for two terms; since 2009: Lecturer and Attorney at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye; 2009-2011: Assistant to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Verapoly; Director of Cochin Arts Communications in Verapoly; Sub Station of Mamkkapady; Project Director for the CBCI of the Society of Medical Education in North India, Ranchi; 2009-2013: President of Canon Law Society of India; since 2011: Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Verapoly. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 03/02/2014)