Pope appoints new bishop for Jhansi Diocese

(Oct. 31, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday appointed a new bishop to Jhansi Diocese in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh State. Fr. Peter Parapullil is the new bishop of Jhansi, who is taking the place of retiring Bishop Frederick D’Souza. Fr. Parapullil was born 2nd December, 1949, at Perumanoor in the Archdiocese of Verapoly in southern India’s Kerala State. On completion of his studies in philosophy first at Kerala’s Seminary of Alwaye and then in St. Joseph’s Seminary of Allahabad, UP, he continued with further studies. He was consecrated priest 29^th February 1976 for Jhansi Diocese, where he served in several parishes. In 1993 he obtained a diploma in Social and Religious Communication from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. On his return to India, he was became director of social work and communications. In 2005 he became the Vicar General of Jhansi, and later the Parish priest of Jhansi’s Cathedral. Since 2012 he has been the Principal of Jhansi’s Christ the King College. The Diocese of Jhansi a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Agra, has nearly 4,000 Catholics out of the total population of a little over 8 million. The 22 parishes of the diocese are served by 54 priests, 10 religious brothers, 226 nuns and 34 major seminarians.