Rourkela Diocese in Orissa has new bishop.

(April,02,2009): The Diocese of Rourkela in the eastern Indian State of Orissa has a new bishop, in place of retiring Bishop Alphonse Bilung. He is John Barwa of the Divine Word Society and coadjutor of the same Diocese of Rourkela. Born 1st June, 1955, he was ordained priest 14th April, 1985 and consecrated bishop 19th April 2006. The Diocese of Rourkela, which was erected 4th July, 1979, has an area of 9,675 kms. and a population of some 1.7 million people, of which, nearly 231.000 are catholic.
A coadjutor bishop has the right to succession following the retirement or death of the bishop of the diocese.