ASIA/INDIA - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Diphu

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 14 February has appointed Rev. John Moolachira Bishop of Diphu (India). The Bishop elect, a member of the clergy of Tezpur diocese was formerly rector of the Minor Seminary at Tezpur and parish priest at Udalguri.
The Bishop elect was born on 14 December 1951, in the village of Puthusserykadavu, diocese of Mananthavady, in Kerala. He attended St.Thomas Minor Seminary in Chennai, and studied philosophy at Christ the King College, Shillong, and theology at the Papal Seminary of Pune. He was ordained a priest on 23 October 1978 for the diocese of Tezpur. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1978-1983: vice rector at Muktidata Minor Seminary, Tezpur; 1983-1986: rector at Muktidata Minor Seminary, Tezpur; 1986-1996: Director of Don Bosco School, Tezpur; 1996-2005: parish priest at Udalguri. Since 2005: studies in Rome for a doctorate in Ecumenism at the Pontifical University of San Tommaso d'Aquino. He is a member of various diocesan commissions.
The diocese of Diphu, suffragan of the archdiocese of Guwahati, was created in 1983. It has an area of 15,222 sq. km., and a population of 1,090,150 of whom 44,840 are Catholics gathered in 16 parishes assisted by 44 priests (26 diocesan and 18 religious), 3 Brothers, and 133 Sisters and there are 15 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/2/2007; Righe 16; Parole 220)