ASIA/INDIA The Pope accepts resignation of the Bishop of Karwar and appoints successor

Saturday, 24 February 2007

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Pope Benedict XVI on 24 February 2007 accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Karwar (India), presented by Bishop William Leonard D’Mello, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1.
The Holy Father appointed as new Bishop of Karwar, Rev. Derek Fernandes until now chancellor of the diocese of Belgaum.
The Bishop elect was born on 14 May 1954 at Sirsi, in the diocese of Belgaum. He entered the propaedeutic seminary in Belgaum and then studied philosophy and theology at St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore. He was ordained a priest on 5 May 1979 for the diocese of Belgaum. He has ministered as follows: 1979-1983: assistant priest and then parish priest at Holy Cross Church, Dharwad; parish priest at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Church, Tumarikop; 1983-1986: parish priest at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Modage (Belgaum) director of Nirmala Nagar Orphanage; 1986-1990: Studies for a doctorate in Canon Law at Urban university, Rome; 1991-2002: chancellor and bursar of Belgaum diocese; member of the council of administration; judicial vicar; advisor and member of the council of priests; secretary of the Pontifical Mission Societies; secretary of the laity commission; director of St. Xavier’s High School and P.U. College; 2004-2006: diocesan administrator of Belgaum diocese. At present chancellor of the diocese of Belgaum.
The Diocese of Karwar, suffragan of the archdiocese of Bangalore, was created in 1976. It has an area of 10,277 sq km, a population of 1,300,000 including 53,870 Catholics, gathered in 65 parishes, assisted by 99 priests (84 diocesan and 15 religious), 227 Sisters, and there are 45 seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 24/2/2007; Righe 22; Parole 292)


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