Appointment of Bishop Auxiliary of Delhi (India)

(January 17, 2009) The Holy Father has appointed Reverend Fr. Mulakkal Franco, of the Dioceses of Jullundur, Treasurer of the International Union of Clergy and Consulter of the Pontifical Council for Inter Religious Dialogue, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Delhi (India). The Rev. Franco Mulakkal was born March 25, 1964 in Mattam in the state of Kerala, the Syro-Malabar diocese of Trichur. After completing his studies at St. Francis Boy's School, at Mattam, and the minor seminary at St. Mary's at Trichur, he joined the major seminary of St. Charles at Nagpur, for philosophy and theology studies. He was ordained priest on 21 April 1990 and incardinated in the Diocese of Jullundur. After his ordination, he served as the vicar in Dhariwal, Parish Priest in Kahnuwan, Professor at John Vianney Minor Seminary, Amristar. He secured his degree in moral theology Alfonsianum, Rome. Later he taught Moral Theology at Holy Trinity Regional Seminary, Jullundur, and was Dean of the Faculty of Theology. He is the Director-founder of the Charismatic Apostolate in the Diocese of Jullundur.