Emmanuel Kerketta Ordained Bishop of Jashpur

(February 4, 2010) Father Emmanuel Kerketta was ordained bishop of Jashpur in Chhattisgarh, February 2, in the presence of a large number of tribal Catholics, other religious and political leaders. The 58-year-old prelate succeeds Bishop Victor Kindo who died on June 12 last year. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi was the chief consecrator and Bishop Paul Toppo of the neighbouring Raigarh diocese, who hails from Jashpur diocese, and the metropolitan Archbishop Joseph Augustine Charanakunnel of Raipur assisted at the Episcopal ordination. Bishop Kerketta was born March 16, 1952 into a tribal family at Gotmahua village. He did his schooling in Musgutri parish and was ordained a priest in 1984, after his priestly studies at St. Joseph Seminary, Mangalore. He had been serving as principal and manager of a higher secondary school prior to his appointment as the vicar general of the diocese in 2006. Following the death of Bishop Kindo, he was elected the diocesan administrator. Jashpur has the highest number of Catholics in Chhattisgarh with 188,000 members, a majority of them belonging to the Oraon tribe. Most of the 134 diocesan priests, 45 religious priests and about 345 nuns serving in the 50 parishes of the diocese, also belong to the diocese. The diocese gives priority to the education of the tribal people through their 148 primary schools, 84 middle schools and 22 high schools and hostels for boys and girls in all parishes.