Pope names four new prelates for India

Pope Francis named four new prelates—one archbishop and three others—in different dioceses in India on December 30.

The Holy Father accepted the resignation of Jesuit Archbishop Felix Toppo (76) from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Ranchi and appointed Bishop Vincent Aind (68) of Bagdogra as Archbishop of Ranchi in the Eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.

The Pontiff also accepted the resignation of Bishop Lourdnada Daniel (76) from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Nashik in Maharashtra state and appointed Barthol Barretto (62), Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, as Bishop of Nashik.

The pope appointed Father Peter Rumal Kharadi (64), of the clergy of Jhabua and currently Diocesan Administrator of the same Diocese, as the new Bishop of Jhabua.

Pope Francis named Father Bernard Lancy Pinto (60) of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Bombay, presently Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Church, Mahim, Mumbai, as the Coadjutor Bishop of Aurangabad, a diocese in Maharashtra.

Bishop Vincent Aind, born on January 30, 1955, in Kalchini, West Bengal, in the Diocese of Jalpaiguri, became ordained as a priest on April 30, 1984, for the Diocese of Jalpaiguri.

He studied philosophy at Morning Star Regional Seminary, Barrackpore, Calcutta, and theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore.

He holds a master’s degree in English literature, a bachelor's degree in economics, a Licentiate in philosophy from Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, and a doctorate in philosophy from Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.

He speaks and writes English, Hindi, Nepali, Bengali, Sadri, Mundari, Italian, and French (only reading knowledge).

He was a Professor of Philosophy, Spiritual Director, Rector, and Principal at Morning Star Regional Seminary.

From 2005 to 2007, he was the parish priest of St. Lucy’s Parish, Jyoti Ashram, Chalsa, Diocese of Jalpaiguri.

From 2007 to 2015, he was Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Morning Star Regional Seminary, and at the same time Principal of Morning Star College, Diocesan Consultor and Member of the Financial Council of Jalpaiguri Diocese, and Regional Secretary of the Commission for Clergy Religious and Seminaries of the Regional Bishops’ Council, West Bengal.

On April 7, 2015, he received his appointment as Bishop of Bagdogra and was ordained on June 14, 2015. He is the Chairman of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India's (CCBI) Commission for Theology and Doctrine.

Bishop Barthol Barretto was born on September 16, 1961, in Mumbai and was ordained a priest on April 8, 1989, for the Archdiocese of Bombay.

He served as Director of Youth at the Pastoral Center, Parish Priest in Panvel and Thane, Secretary to the Archbishop, and Parish Priest in Goregaon and Borivali.

On December 20, 2016, he received his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay and was consecrated on January 28, 2017.

In the archdiocese, he is the bishop in charge of the small Christian communities, youth, and associations. Presently, he is in charge of social communications and the charitable movement. He is the Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Families.

Father Peter Rumal Kharadi was born on April 10, 1959, in Kaldela, Thandla Parish, at that time in the Diocese of Ajmer and presently in the Diocese of Jhabua.

After studying philosophy and theology at St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur, he was ordained a priest on April 6, 1988, for the Diocese of Udaipur. When the Diocese of Jhabua was created in 2002, he became incardinated into it.

He served at Amblipada Parish, Udaipur (1988), as co-pastor at Maska Mahudi (1989–1991), co-pastor at Thandla (1991–1996), and Ambapada (1996–1998), as parish priest at Mohkumpura (1998–2002), and at Unnai (2002–2006).

He was Vicar General of the Diocese of Jhabua and Parish Priest of the Cathedral (2006–2008), Chancellor and Vicar General (2009–2021), and Parish Priest at Pachuki (2018–2021).

Since 2018, he has been the Regional Secretary for SCCs, Laity, and Family Life Commission, and since May 24, 2021, he has been the Diocesan Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Jhabua.

Father Bernard Lancy Pinto was born on August 20, 1963, in Diva, Thane District, Maharashtra, in the Archdiocese of Bombay, western India.

On January 16, 1993, the Archdiocese of Bombay ordained him as a priest. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Mumbai University.

He studied philosophy and theology at St. Pius College, Mumbai. He served the Diocese as Asst. Parish Priest, St. Jude Church, Jeri Meri (1993-1996), Resident Priest, Our Lady of Gloria Church, Byculla (1996-1999), Chaplain to Young Christian Workers, Mumbai (1996-2007), Assistant Director, Joseph Cardijn Technical School, Dadar (1997-2007), Parish Priest, St. Antony Church, Saki Naka (1999-2005), Parish Priest, Our Lady of Dolours Church, Sonapur (2005-2010), and Member, Employment and Conciliation Code, Bombay since 2005.

He was parish priest at St. Anthony Church, Dharavi (2010–2014), secretary and coordinator of the Federation of Community Centers, Bombay, since 2013; and chairperson of the Justice and Peace Commission (2016).

He was parish priest of St. Jude Church, Jeri Meri (2014–2018), dean of Kurla Denary, Bombay (2015–2018), parish priest of St. Michael, Mahim, Mumbai, since 2018, dean of North Mumbai Deanery, and president of the Conference of Diocesan Priests, Bombay, from 2021.