ASIA/INDIA - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Jalpaiguri

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 31 January 2006, appointed Bishop of Jalpaiguri (India), Rev. Clement Tirkey, Vicar General of the diocese of Bagdogra.
The new Bishop was born on 12 September 1947, in the diocese of Raigarh. He was ordained a priest in 1978 for the diocese of Darjeeling, and moved in 1998 to the newly created diocese of Bagdogra. He has ministered as follows: assistant priest at Bagdogra parish and Gayaganga parish (1978-1981); teacher at St. Xavier’s School di Pakyong, diocese of Darjeeling; deputy head master of the same school (1982-1997); since 1997: director of Seva Kendra Social Centre in Siliguri, diocese of Bagdogra. Since 1998 vicar general of the diocese of Bagdogra.
The diocese of Jalpaiguri was created in 1952, suffragan of the archdiocese of Calcutta. It has an area of 6,914sq. km, a population of 4,917.688 including 118,700 Catholics, gathered and 35 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/2/2006; Righe 13; Parole 169)