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NEWS
Bp. Albert Hemrom Appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Guwahati
New Delhi, 16 July 2026 (CCBI): Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Albert Hemrom (57), Bishop of Dibrugarh, as the Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Guwahati, Assam. The appointment was made public on Thursday, 16 July 2026. Bishop Albert Hemrom was born on 27 February 1969 in Konapathar, in the Diocese of Dibrugarh. He began his priestly formation at St. Joseph's Minor Seminary, Dibrugarh, and pursued his philosophical and theological studies at Christ the King Colle
Jul 162 min read
E-Copy CCBI News, January-June 2026
9 July, 2026 Ref.DS/1383/2026 Dear Sister/Brother/Father, Cordial Greetings from the CCBI General Secretariat, New Delhi! I am pleased to share with you the electronic copy of the CCBI News, January–June 2026 issue. This edition highlights the major news, events, initiatives, and programmes undertaken by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India during the past six months. I hope this publication will keep you informed about the life and mission of the Episcopal Con
Jul 91 min read
Fr. Francis Appointed Deputy Secretary of the Odisha Regional Bishops' Council
Fr. Francis Appointed Deputy Secretary of the Odisha Regional Bishops' Council Bhubaneswar 27 June 2026 (CCBI): The Odisha Regional Bishops' Council has appointed Rev. Dr. Francis Puthenthayil, CM, as its new Deputy Secretary. He belongs to the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians). He joined the Congregation of the Mission on 11 May 1984 and was ordained a priest on 29 December 1990. He holds a Doctorate in Canon Law with specialization in Jurisprudence from Rome in Dece
Jun 272 min read
Fr. Anand David Xalxo Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi
New Delhi 24 June 2026 (CCBI): Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Anand David Xalxo (51), Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Ranchi and Parish Priest of St. Mary's Cathedral, Ranchi, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Ranchi on 24 June 2026. Fr Anand David Xalxo was born on November 20, 1975 in Mandar, Archdiocese of Ranchi. He completed his studies at the following institutions: Elementary School in Mandar (1983–1989); High School at St. Ignatius School, Gumla (1990–1994
Jun 241 min read
Magnifica Humanitas Released in India
New Delhi, 10 June 2026: The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) released the Indian edition of the Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, at the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi on 10 June 2026. During a brief ceremony held at the Nunciature, Msgr. Andrea Francia, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Apostolic Nunciature in India handed over the first copy to Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI. Ms Caroline Bus
Jun 101 min read
Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu Passes Away
Visakhapatnam, 7 June 2026 (CCBI): Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu, Archbishop Emeritus of Visakhapatnam, passed away on Sunday, 7 June 2026, at 2:35 a.m. at a private hospital in Visakhapatnam. He was 77. Funeral details are awaited. He was the Bishop of Cuddapah (1998–2002), Vijayawada (2002–2012), Archbishop of Visakhapatnam (2012–2024), and Apostolic Administrator of Srikakulam in 2019. He was the Secretary General of the CCBI (2005–2011). Archbishop Prakash was initia
Jun 72 min read
“The Church Must Learn to Listen Without Fear”: Cardinal Filipe Neri on Synodality in India
May 12, 2026: As the Church in India continues its synodal journey, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), reflected on the call to become a more participatory, inclusive and missionary Church. Speaking to Catholic Connect, the Cardinal spoke candidly about the opportunities and challenges before the Church in India, urging Catholics to move from “working for people to walking with people” through deeper listening, shared
May 135 min read
Fr. Vijaya Paul Appointed Bishop of Warangal
New Delhi, 9 May 2026 (CCBI): Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Vijaya Paul Reddy Duggimpudi (61), currently the Diocesan Administrator of Warangal, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Warangal. He becomes the fourth Bishop of the Diocese. Fr. Vijaya Paul Reddy was born on 8 January 1965 in Manugonda, Geesugonda Mandal, in the Warangal district of Telangana. He completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology at St. John’s Major Seminary, Hyderabad, from 1985 to 1987 and from 19
May 92 min read
Adrian Rosario Appointed as Laity Commission Secretary
New Delhi, 8 May 2026 (CCBI): The CCBI has appointed Mr. Adrian Rosario from the Archdiocese of Bombay as Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Laity. The appointment was made during the Executive Committee meeting held on 5–6 May 2026 in Bangalore. Mr. Rosario brings more than three decades of professional experience, including 12 years in the IT sector and over 22 years in Human Resource Management, training, and education. He holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics and a Postgraduate
May 91 min read
Fr John Barman Appointed Secretary to CCBI Youth Commission
New Delhi 8 May 2026 (CCBI): The CCBI has appointed Fr John Barman, M.S.F.S., as Executive Secretary to the Youth Commission, who is currently the Associate Secretary. The appointment was made during the Executive Committee meeting held on 5–6 May 2026 in Bangalore. A priest of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS), Guwahati Province, Fr Barman brings wide experience in youth ministry and pastoral leadership. He was born on 12 August 1981 in Machkhowa, Dhemaji distri
May 91 min read
Ajin Joseph Appointed to CCBI Family Commission
New Delhi, 8 May 2026 (CCBI): The CCBI has appointed Mr. Ajin Joseph as Associate Secretary to the Family Commission with special charge of Pro-Life Ministry. The appointment was made during the Executive Committee meeting held on 5–6 May 2026 in Bangalore. Ajin Joseph currently serves as CCBI’s Catholic Engagement Manager for “Chosen” and is a member of the National Council of the Youth Commission. With over 15 years of missionary experience, he has worked across more than 7
May 91 min read
Fr Vishal Mal Appointed Associate Executive Secretary to Youth Commission
New Delhi, 8 May 2026 (CCBI): The CCBI has appointed Fr Vishal Mal of the diocese of Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, as Associate Executive Secretary to the Commission for Youth. The appointment was made during the Executive Committee meeting held on 5–6 May 2026 in Bangalore. Fr Vishal Mal was born on 19 January 1989 in Gopalpura, Jhabua and was ordained a priest on 16 April 2018. He currently serves as Diocesan Youth Director. He completed his philosophical studies at Holy Trinity
May 91 min read
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