Pope Francis has appointed Father Joseph Kallarackal as bishop of Jaipur, capital of the desert state of Rajasthan in north-western India.
The appointment of the 59-year-old parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Ajmer in Rajasthan was announced on April 22.
Father Kallarackal’s elevation followed the acceptance of the resignation of Bishop Oswald Lewis, 78.
Born on Dec. 10, 1964, in Anavilasam in the Eparchy of Kanjirapally in southern Kerala, Father Kallarackal was ordained priest on Jan. 2, 1997, for the Diocese of Ajmer in Rajasthan.
He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary in the Diocese of Allahabad in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Allahabad University and a Master of Arts in Political Science from MDS University, Ajmer. He had his Bachelor of Education degree from Ponda, Goa.
Father Kallarackal served as parish priest, rector of seminaries, and manager and principal of several schools before his appointment.
He is currently serving as dean and parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Ajmer.
