Holy Father Pope Francis on September 20 appointed Retired Auxiliary Bishop Agnelo Rufino Gracias of Bombay as the temporary administrator of Jalandhar diocese in the absence of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who is now in Kerala. The Vatican acted on Bishop Mulakkal’s September 16 request to the Pope for temporary relief from his episcopal ministry.
As reported by mattersindia.com, a press release from His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India announcing the appointment, read, “Our prayers accompany Bishop Gracias as he takes on this responsibility.”
Before proceeding to Kerala, Bishop Mulakkal had appointed Monsignor Mathew Kokkandam, the vicar general, as the diocesan administrator. Cardinal Gracias’ note says Pope Francis accepted Bishop Mulakkal’s request and appointed a temporary administrator after “having considered all circumstances.”
Source: www.mattersindia.com
