Bishop Dabre of Vasai is new bishop of Poona

(April 6, 2009) Pope Benedict has appointed a new head to the Indian diocese of Poona, in Maharashtra state. Bishop Thomas Dabre of Vasai is the new bishop of Poona, following the retirement of Bishop Valerian D’Souza. Bishop Dabre, who is 63, was consecrated bishop on May 1990 as auxiliary of Bombay archdiocese. When the new diocese of Vasai was created in May 1998, Bishop Dabre was appointed its first bishop. Last October Bishop Valerian D’Souza turned 75, the canonical retirement age of the head of a diocese.