Pope elevates Apostolic Prefecture of Quetta to rank of Apostolic Vicariate
(April 29, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI has elevated the Apostolic Prefecture of Quetta in Pakistan to the rank of Apostolic Vicariate. He has appointed as its first Apostolic Vicar Rev. Fr. Victor Gnanapragasam. The Apostolic Vicar is a bishop.
The Apostolic Prefecture of Quetta was erected on 9th November 2001, with territory taken from Hyderabad Diocese. It was entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) with Fr.Victor Gnanapragasam as its Apostolic Prefect. It comprises the entire province of Baluchistan, that constitutes about 44% of the entire territory of Pakistan. It extends over an area of 347 188 sqm and has a population of 8.096.251 inhabitants, of which Catholics number 29.355.
Fr. Victor Gnanapragasam was born in Jaffna in Sri Lanka 21 Nov. 1940. He was ordained priest 21 Dec. 1966. He first came to Pakistan in 1974 to work in the Diocese of Faisalabad. Three years later he became the Superior of the OMI in Pakistan
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