Bangalore 3 July 2023 (CCBI) His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Fr Elias Frank (61), the clergy of Asansol, presently Professor of Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Bishop of Asansol on Monday 3 July 2023.
Fr Elias Frank was born on 15 August 1962 in Bantwal, Infant Jesus Parish, in the Diocese of Mangalore. After completing school studies in the parish school at Modankap, higher secondary studies from St. Anthony’s College in Shillong, joined the Archdiocese of Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1983. His Minor Seminary Formation was at St. John Mary Vianney Seminary in Barasat, philosophy at Morning Star Regional Seminary in Barrackpore and theology at Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome. He was ordained priest on 23 April 1993 at Our Lady of Happy Voyage Church in Howrah.
After his priestly ordination, from 1993 to 1995, Fr. Elias Frank was a parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church, Burdwan. From 1995-1996 he was the priest –in – charge of Kristo Jyothi Church, Basinda, and from 1996 to 1999 he was a parochial vicar again at Sacred Heart Church, Burdwan. After the creation of Asansol diocese, from 2002 to 2003 he was the parish administrator of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Durgapur; and from 2005 to 2006 he was the parish priest of Sacred Heart Church, Burdwan. During the years 2005-2006 Fr Elias served as judge at the Inter-Diocesan Tribunal of Kolkata. From 1999 to 2001 he did his Higher studies at Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, and earned Licentiate in Canon Law in 2001-2002, Diploma in Jurisprudence and in 2003-2004 Doctorate in Canon Law.
Starting from 2007 until now he has been professor of “The Sanctifying office of the Church” in the Faculty of Canon Law at the same university. Since 2020 he has also been a visiting professor at Accademai Alfonsiana. He has published two books and numerous articles in various scientific jiurnals. He has served as editor of the journal lus Missionale, external judge of the First Instance Tribunal of the Vicariate of Rome, Consultor of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and Commissioner for in favorem fidei marriage cases at the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General CCBI