ASIA/INDIA - The Pope creates the diocese of Gulbarga and appoints first bishop

Friday, 24 June 2005

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 24 June 2005 created the diocese of Gulbarga (India) with territory taken from the archdiocese of Hyderabad and the dioceses of Bellary and Belgaum making it suffragan of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. The Holy Father appointed first Bishop of Gulbarga Rev. Robert Miranda a member of the Mangalore clergy and until now Episcopal vicar of Bidar.

The parish church Mother Mary of Divine Grace at Gulbarga will serve as the cathedral for the new diocese.

The first Bishop of Guibarga Robert Mirando was born on April 10, 1952 at Kirem, diocese of Mangalore. After attending primary and secondary Catholic schools and St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, he studied for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Major Seminary, Mangalore and ordained a priest on 4 May 1978. He has since been: assistant parish priest at Moodubelle and later at the Cathedral. In 1982 he was charged with opening Bidar mission and in 1999 was appointed Episcopal vicar of the mission. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 24/6/2005; Righe 76; Parole 244)


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