Bangalore, January 13, 2024 (CCBI): His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed new Bishops of Karwar, Meerut, Kuzhithurai, Kumbakonam and an auxilary Bishop for Vijayapuram. He also accepted the resignation presented by Bishop Kannikadass Antony William from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Mysore
Resignation and appointment of the Bishop of Jabalpur
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation presented by Bishop Gerald Almeida from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Jabalpur.
The Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Fr. Valan Arasu of the clergy of the Jabalpur Diocese, currently Principal of St. Aloysius College as Bishop of Jabalpur.
Bishop-Elect 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 St. Charles’ Seminary in Nagpur. He obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Annamalai University and subsequently a Master’s degree in Philosophy in 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 held the following positions: Assistant Parish Priest in Kurela Mission (1996-1997); Assistant Parish Priest of the Cathedral (1997-1999); Professor at St. Aloysius College (1999-2005); Assistant Parish Priest of Napier Town (2005-2008); Deputy Secretary to 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 between Religions (2008-2012); since 2012, he was Principal of St. Aloysius College.
Resignation and appointment of the Bishop of Kumbakonam
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Kumbakonam presented by Bishop Antonisamy Francis.
The Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Fr. Jeevanandam Amalanathan currently Vicar General of the same diocese as Bishop of the Diocese of Kumbakonam.
Bishop-Elect Jeevanandam Amalanathan was born on 2 April 1963 in Michaelpatti. He studied at Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Kumbakonam, and Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Poonamallee, Chennai. He obtained a Doctorate in Pastoral Theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.
He was ordained a priest on May 6, 1990 for the Kumbakonam diocese. He held the following positions: Assistant Parish Priest in Ammanpet (1990-1991); Prefect of the Minor Seminary (1991-1992); parish priest in Fatimapuram (1992-1993) and Kabisthalam (1993-1998); Professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Chennai (1998-2002 and 2008-2014); Rector and Parish Priest of the Basilica of Poondi (2015-2016); since 2016, he has been Vicar General of Kumbakonam.
Appointment of the Bishop of Kuzhithurai
The Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Fr. Albert George Alexander Anastas of the clergy of the Diocese of Kottar, as Bishop of Kuzhithurai. He serving currently as Professor at St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirapalli.
Bishop-Elect Albert George Alexander Anastas was born on 16 December 1966 in Manavilai, in the Diocese of Kottar, Tamil Nadu. He studied Philosophy at Christ Hall Seminary, Arul Anandar College, Karumathur, Madurai and Theology at St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirapalli.
He was ordained a priest on 26 April 1992 for the Diocese of Kottar. He held the following positions and carried out further studies: Assistant Parish priest in Mulagumoodu (1992-1993); Parish Administrator of K.P. Thurai (1993-1994); Prefect of studies of the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary, Nagercoil (1994-1995); Animator of Christ Hall Seminary, Karumathur, Madurai (1995-1998); Parish Priest of St. Michael Shrine, Rajavoor (1998-2000); Licentiate and Doctorate in Theology at the Catholic University in Leuven, Belgium (2000-2007); parish assistant, Kurusady (2007-2008); Secretary of the Christian Life Commission (Commissions for Catechism, Liturgy and Bible) (2007-2012); parish priest of Punnainagar (2008-2014); Director of the Rural motivation program (Diocesan Social Service Society) of Kottar (2013-2016); Vicar Forane of the Vicariate of Kottar (2014-2016); Member of the College of Consultors (2014-2016); since 2016, Professor at St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirappalli; since 2017, Seminary Librarian.
Appointment of the Bishop of Meerut
The Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Fr. Bhaskar Jesuraj of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Agra as Bishop of Meerut. He currently serves as Deputy Secretary of the Agra Regional Bishops Council and Principal of St. Clare’s Senior Secondary School in Agra.
Bishop-Elect Bhaskar Jesuraj was born on 11 April 1966 in the Diocese of Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. After attending the minor seminary, he continued his philosophical-theological education at St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary in Allahabad, choosing to be a missionary in northern India.
He was ordained a priest on 21 April 1993 for the Archdiocese of Agra. He held the following positions and carried out further studies: Assistant Parish Priest of Nishkalanka Mata in Jaith (1993-1995); Assistant Parish Priest of St. Theresa in Kosikalan (1995-1996); Assistant Parish Priest (1996-1997) and then Parish Priest of St. Patrick (1997-1999); Vice-Principal and then Principal of St. Clare’s Senior School in Agra (1997-1999); Secretary to the Archbishop and Bursar (1999-2006); Licentiate in Pastoral Management at the Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology of Pune (2006-2008); parish priest of St. Fidelis in Aligarh (2008-2009); Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Agra (since 2009); Secretary to the Archbishop and Principal of the St. Felix Nursery School in Agra (2009-2013); Director of St. Peter’s College in Agra (2013-2019); since 2011, Deputy Secretary of the Agra Regional Bishops’ Council and, since 2019, Principal of St. Clare’s Senior Secondary School in Agra.
Appointment of the Bishop of Karwar
The Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Fr. Duming Dias of the clergy of the Diocese of Shimoga as Bishop of Karwar. Currently he is Director of the Sannidhi Pastoral Renewal Center of Shimoga.
Bishop-Elect Duming Dias was born on 13 September 1969 in Honavar, in the Diocese of Karwar. He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Bangalore University, Bachelor of Education from Kuvempu University, Shimoga, Master of Education and Master of Business Administration from Karnataka State Open University.
He was ordained a priest on 6 May 1997 for the Clergy of Shimoga. He has held the following positions: Assistant Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Shimoga (1997-1998); Assistant Parish Priest of St. Thomas in Davanagere (1998-1999); parish priest of St. Francis Xavier in Kable (1999-2001); Director of the Biblical, Catechesis and Liturgy Commission (2001-2012); Teacher and Principal of Sacred Heart College in Shimoga (2002-2012); parish priest of Mary Immaculate in New Town Bhadravathi (2002-2007); Director of the Lourdes Boys School in Davanagere (2012-2014); Director of the SCC Commission and Coordinator of the Diocesan Commissions of Shimoga (2012-2014); Associate Director of St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore (2014-2021); Coordinator of the Diocesan Commissions and Director of the Commission for the Family (from 2021); since 2021, Director of Sannidhi Pastoral Renewal Center in Shimoga.
Appointment of Auxiliary Bishop of Vijayapuram
The Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Fr. Justin Alexander Madathiparambil, until now Vicar General of the Vijayapuram Diocese as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Vijayapuram, assigning him the titular See of Lisinia.
Bishop-Elect Justin Alexander Madathiparambil was born on 6 April 1972 in Pambanar, in the Diocese of Vijayapuram. He attended the Infant Jesus Minor Seminary in Kottayam and obtained a Diploma in Philosophy from the University of Kerala. He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Alwaye. Subsequently, he studied licentiate in liturgy from the Pontifical University of Sant’Anselmo and a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Urbaniana University of Rome.
He was ordained a priest on 27 December 1996 for the Diocese of Vijayapuram. He held the following positions: Assistant Parish Priest of Mount Carmelo, Munnar (1997-1998); parish priest of St. Joseph, Guderale (1998-2003); Parish Priest and Director Mini Industrial Estate, Idukki (2003-2005); Pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Prato, Italy (2006-2017); since 2017, Vicar General of Vijayapuram. He also served as President of the Vijayapuram Social Service Society; President of the Diocesan Corporate Educational Agency; Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies; Director of the Commission for Clergy and Seminarians and President of the Assisi Institute of Nursing.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI