Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Jabalpur, India, presented by Bishop Gerald Almeida.
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Valan Arasu, of the clergy of the diocese of Jabalpur, India, until now head of Saint Aloysius College, as bishop of the same diocese.
Msgr. Valan Arasu was born on 13 June 1967 in Enayam, in the diocese of Kottar. After attending the Xavier Mission Home minor seminary, he studied philosophy and theology at Saint Charles’ Seminary in Nagpur. He was awarded a master’s degree in Business Administration at Annamalai University and subsequently a master’s degree in philosophy and economics and a doctorate in economics from Rani Durgavati University.
He was ordained a priest on 12 May 1996 for the clergy of the diocese of Jabalpur.
He has held the following offices: deputy parish priest in the Kurela Mission (1996-1997); deputy parish priest of the Cathedral (1997-1999); professor at Saint Aloysius College (1999-2005); deputy parish priest in Napier Town (2005-2008); adjunct secretary of the Council of Priests, master of ceremonies and member of the Commission for Vocations, secretary of the Commission for Higher and Professional Studies and secretary for the Commission for Dialogue among Religions (2008-2012); and from 2012 to the present, head of Saint Aloysius College. (Agenzia Fides, 13/1/2024)