Appointment of the Bishop of Kumbakonam, India

(May 31, 2008) The Holy Father has appointed Rev. Fr. Francis Antonysamy, as Bishop of Kumbakonam India. He is presently the parish priest of the Basilica of Vailankanni. Rev. Fr. Antonysamy Francis was born April 15, 1946 to Iluppur, in the Diocese of Tanjavur. After completing his primary school in his native village, he entered the minor seminary in Thanjavur. He completed his Seminary studies at Paul's Seminary, Tiruchirappali and was ordained in 1974. He did his masters in Philosophy from Chennai and did his licentiate in spiritual theology from Teresianum, Rome. He has been professor at St. Paul's Seminary, Tiruchirappalli, Diocesan Director for the Liturgy and Catechesis, assistant to the Secretary of CCBI Commission for the Christian Life and Vice-Rector and Parish Priest at the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health in Vailankanni, Tanjavur. The Diocese of Kumbakonam covers an area of 7,823 sq km, with approximately 5 million inhabitants of which 210,313 are Catholics. It has 85 parishes, 207 priests (158 diocesan and 49 religious), 6 religious brothers, and 451 seminarians. The diocese of Kumbakonam, has become vacant following the transfer of Bishop Peter Remigius to the Diocese of Kottar, which took place on June 30, 2007.