New Delhi: Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday established a new Syro-Malabar diocese in the region of Delhi and appointed Msgr Kuriakose Bharanikulangara its first bishop.
The new diocese, based in Faridabad, will be known as the Eparchy of Faridabad of the Syro-Malabarians. Baranikulanagara will have the title of "Archbishop ad personam."
This announcement was simultaneously made in Delhi, Kochi as well as in the Vatican.
"There has been a long standing demnd for Syro Malabar diocese in the national capital region since there is a sizeable number of Catholics belonging to this ritual church," spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops` Conference of India (CBCI) Rev Babu Joseph said.
He said already 22 Syro-Malabar parishes were existing in the NCR with full time priests serving there.
"Therefore it was only natural that diocese was in the offing and now that has been materialised. It is certainly encouraging news for the Syro-Malabar catholics living in NCR and neighboring areas," Joseph said.
PTI
