Pope appoints Coadjutor Bishop in Baruipur, India

Pope Francis on Friday appointed a Coadjutor Bishop in the Diocese of Baruipur in eastern India’s West Bengal state.  Father Shyamal Bose, the treasurer and chancellor of the diocese has been appointed its Coadjutor Bishop to assist Bishop Salvadore Lobo in the pastoral and administrative of the diocese.

Born on March 24, 1961, in Gosaba, Fr. Shyamal Bose attended the primary school at St. Xavier's F.P. School, in Basanti, and secondary school in Gosaba.

After entering the St. John Mary Vianney Minor Seminary in Barasat, he moved to the Morning Star Regional Major Seminary in Barrackpore, near Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), and then to St. Albert's College, Ranchi, in neighbouring Jharkhand state for theological studies.

He obtained a Licentiate in Biblical Theology from St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore).  He was ordained a priest on May 5, 1991, for the Diocese of Baruipur.

After his ordination, he held the following positions:

∗ 1991-1994: Assistant parish priest of St. Anthony's Church in Keorapukar

∗ 1994-1996: Assistant parish priest of Ascension Church in Khari

∗ 1996-1998: Parish priest of Ascension Church in Khari

∗ 1998-2006: Director of the Palli Unnayan Samiti, the Social Services Centre of the diocese

∗ 2000-2006: Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of Baruipur

∗ 2006-2008: Parish priest of Sacred Heart Church in Thakurpukur

∗ 2008-2010: Studies for Licentiate in Biblical Theology, Bangalore

∗ 2010-2011: Director of the Regional Social Centre, Association of Bengal Collaborators for Development (ABCD)

∗ 2012-2013: Assistant parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kumrokhali

∗ 2013-2016: Parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kumrokhali

∗ since 2016: Treasurer and Chancellor of the Diocese of Baruipur

Formerly part of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, Baruipur was erected on May 30, 1977, with Fr. Linus Gomes as its first Bishop.  The current Bishop Salvadore Lobo took over after Bishop Gomes retired 1995 due to ill health.

Baruipur  Diocese comprises an area of over 10,000 square kilometres with a total population of some 9.4 million.   Catholics who number some 62,800, are served by over 100 priests and 115 nuns in 22 parishes and 54 educational institutions.  The diocese also runs over 33 charity and social service centres.