Bishop Vincent Barwa transferred to Simdega diocese

(Feb. 11, 2008) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday appointed a bishop to the diocese of Simdega in eastern India’s Jharkhand state. The Holy Father transferred Bishop Vincent Barwa, auxiliary bishop of Ranchi archdiocese to Simdega. Bishop Barwa succeeds Simdega’s first bishop Joseph Minj who last October reached the retirement age of 75.
The Diocese of Simdega was erected in 1993 by Pope John Paul II with territories taken from the Archdiocese of Ranchi. The Catholic population of the diocese consists of tribals, mainly Khariyas, Mundas, Oraons and Baraiks. Bishop Vincent Barwa was born on Oct. 18, 1953 and ordained priest on May 2, 1984. He was appointed bishop of Purnea in 1998 and in 2004 was transferred to Ranchi as auxiliary bishop.