HOLLONGI, JULY 10 ; Leaders of various denomination of Christian community on Monday morning has given warm welcome the newly appointed Fr Benny Varghese newly appointed Bishop of Itanagar on his arrival to state at Hollongi check gate.
On June 29, 2023 The Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Benny Varghese Edathattel (53), a priest belonging to the diocese of Kohima, Nagaland, as the second Bishop of Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, The bishop Varghese is also Executive Secretary of the Catechetical Commission of the Northeastern Regional Bishops’ Council.
The present Bishop John Thomas Kattrukudiyil (75) who was the Bishop of Itanagar (2005–2023) hs been retired form the active service. Said a press release.
Fr Benny Varghese Edathattel was born on 22 April 1970 in Njayappilly, in the Syro-Malabar eparchy of Kothamangalam, in Kerala. He attended the Good Shepherd minor seminary in Dimapur, then studied philosophy at the Salesian College in Dimapur and theology at the Oriens Theological College in Shillong and was ordained a priest on 19 April 1999 for the clergy of Kohima.
He has held the following offices and carried out further studies: assistant pastor of St. Thomas Church and vice-principal of St. John School, Tuensang (1999-2002); dean of studies and administrator of St. Xavier’s Seminary and director of the Agricultural Training cum Production Centre, Jalukie (2002-2004); Studies for the Diploma in Pastoral Ministry and the Master in Pastoral Theology with specialization in Small Christian Communities at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, in Manila; assistant parish priest of Our Lady of the Abandoned, in Marikina, in the Philippines (2004-2007);
He served as Secretary of the Bishop of Kohima and diocesan coordinator of the Small Christian Communities (2007-2011); Studies for the Master in History at Gauhati University (2008-2010); parish priest of St. Peter’s, in Kiphire, Nagalang (2011-2016); Bachelor of Education at the Mirza Teachers’ Training College, Assam (2012-2013); Administrator of St. Joseph’s College in Jakhama and Visiting Professor at Oriens Theological College, Shillong (2016-2020). Since 2021 he has been parish priest of the St. Joseph’s Center in Songlhuh.
The diocese of Itanagar was erected on December 7, 2005, by bifurcating the Tezpur diocese in Assam and appointed Bishop John Thomas Kattrukudiyil as its first Bishop. The diocese includes 10 civil districts: Tawang, West Kameng, East Kameng, Papum Pare, Upper Subansiri, Lower Subansiri, Kurung Kumay, West Siang, East Siang and Upper Siang of Arunachal Pradesh. The release said.
Speaking to media, Fr Benny Varghese said that “ after Octobers 15 the programmed and policies will be chock out after ceremonial programme will takes place”. While thanking the people for giving warm reception the Bishop elect said that It is a happy moment and pray for wellbeing of all”.
“Ultimately everyone are called the god fearing people for the beautiful life given and we should keep ourselves and lead a happy”. He added.
Arunachal Christian forum (ACF) President Tarh Miri, Arunachal Pradesh catholic association (APCA) President Taw Tebin also interacted the media and spoke on unity, integrity, communal harmony and wellbeing of all.
