Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On June 29, the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Itanagar, India, presented by Bishop John Thomas Kattrukudiyil.
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Benny Varghese Edathattel, of the clergy of Kohima, until now parish priest of Saint Joseph’s Centre in Songlhuh, as bishop of the same diocese.
His Exc. Msgr. Benny Varghese Edathattel was born on 22 April 1970 in Njayappilly, in the Syro-Malabar eparchy of Kothamangalam, in Kerala. He attended the Good Shepherd Minor Seminary in Dimapur, then studied philosophy at the Salesian College in Dimapur and theology at Oriens Theological College in Shillong, and was ordained a priest on 19 April 1999 for the clergy of Kohima.
After ordination, he first held the roles of deputy parish priest of Saint Thomas Church and deputy head of the Saint John School, Tuensang (1999-2002); dean of studies and administrator of Saint Xavier’s Seminary, and director of the Agricultural Training cum Production Centre, Jalukie (2002-2004). He studied for a diploma in pastoral ministry and a master’s degree in pastoral theology specializing in small Christian communities, at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila, serving as deputy parish priest of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina, in the Philippines (2004-2007). After serving as secretary to the bishop of Kohima and diocesan coordinator of Small Christian Communities (2007-2011), he continued his studies with a master’s degree in history from Gauhati University (2008-2010), and held the role of parish priest of Saint Peter’s in Kiphire, Nagalang (2011-2016). He was awarded a bachelor of education from Mirza Teachers’ Training College in Assam (2012-2013), and subsequently held the offices of administrator of Saint Joseph’s College in Jakhama and visiting professor at Oriens Theological College, Shillong (2016-2020). Since 2021, he is parish priest of Saint Joseph’s Centre in Songlhuh. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 30/6/2023)
