ASIA/INDIA - The Pope appoints new bishop of Gumla

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 28 January 2006 appointed Bishop of Gumla (India) Rev. Mgr Paul Alois Lakra, until now diocesan administrator of the same diocese.
The new Bishop Paul Alois Lakra was born 11 July 1955 in the village of Naditoli, diocese of Gumla. He attended St. Patrick's School in Gumla and then St. Ignatius High School also in Gumla followed by an Intermediate Arts Course at Kartick Oraon College. In 1976, he entered St. Albert's College major seminary Ranchi while studying at St. Xavier's College obtaining a Bachelor of Arts (1977-80). He then studied philosophy (1980-1983) and spent a pastoral year at the Apostolic School of Topna (1983-84). In 1984 he moved to Morning Star College, Barrackpore, Calcutta to study theology. He served as a deacon in Gumla (1987/88). On 6 May 1988 he was ordained a priest for the archdiocese of Ranchi, however in 1993, with the creation of Gumla diocese he was assigned to Gumla diocese. He has ministered as follows: 1988-90: assistant priest and headmaster in Muria, today the diocese of Simdega; 1990-91: Assistant Probation Master St. Albert's College, Ranchi, in charge of first year students; 1991-93: studies at Urban College in Rome for Licentiate in biblical theology while residing at Collegio S. Paolo Apostolo; 1994-96: parish priest at St. Jude's church, Naudiha; 1996-98: director of Karondabera minor seminary; 1998-04: secretary to Bishop of Gumla Mgr Michael Minj; appointed diocesan administrator of Gumla diocese when the Bishop died in 2004.
The diocese of Gumla was created in 1993, suffragan of the archdiocese of Ranchi. It has an area of 5,316sq km, a population of 901,217 including 150,296 Catholics, gathered in 37 parishes, assisted by 122 priests (84 diocesan 38 religious), 21 Brothers, 256 Sisters, and there are 85 majorseminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 28/1/2006; Righe 24; Parole 339)