Pope appoints new Bishops in two dioceses in India.

(Feb.10, 2009): Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday appointed new bishops in two dioceses of India. While Fr. Binay Kandulna has been appointed Auxiliary to the Archdiocese of Ranchi in Bihar State, Fr. Ignatius Loyola Mascarenhas has been appointed bishop of Simla-Chandigarh. Born January 3, 1964 at Gondra, Fr. Kandulna entered St. Albert’s Major Seminary in Ranchi for studies in Philosophy and Theology. After his priestly ordination in 1994, he served in the Diocese of Khunti, as vicar of the Holy Rosary Church, and director and teacher at the Parish’s Middle School. He graduated in Canon Law from Rome’s Pontifical Urban University in 1997. On his return to India, he served as vicar at St. Micheal’s Cathedral in Kunti, and as judge of the regional ecclesiastical tribunal. At the time of his appointment he was a collaborator at the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi.
The other nominee to Simla-Chandigarh Diocese, Fr. Ignatius Loyola Mascarenhas, is a priest of Delhi Archdiocese. Born June 3, 1949 in Delhi, he had his early education at St. Columba’s School and then entered St. Anselm’s Minor Seminary at Ajmer in Rajasthan State. He did his philosophical studies at St. Pius College, Goregaon, Mumbai, and theological studies at Vidyajyoti in Delhi. After his priestly ordination in 1977, he held several posts in parishes, church movements and pastoral organisations. Since 2006, he has been the Rector of the Krist Jyoti Gurukul regional seminary at Kauli.