Media Release
Allahabad, Oct 19: Pope Francis I has appointed Dr Raphy Manjaly, till now bishop of Varanasi, as bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Allahabad. (www.dioceseofallahabad.org). This Ecclesiastical Provision was made public in Rome on Thursday, October 17 at noon local time. The same was announced, corresponding to 15:30 hours, Indian Standard Time, in St Joseph's Cathedral, Allahabad by Dr Ignatius Menezes, who took charge of the diocese as the Apostolic Administrator on January 31, 2013, after Bishop Isidore Fernandes resigned from the pastoral care of the diocese.
About Bishop Raphy Manjaly
Born on February 7, 1958 in Thrissur district of Kerala to the devout family of M V Chacko and Catherine, Bishop Raphy had his initial schooling in St Francis Xavier School, Vendore. Having completed his high school studies in Thyagarajar High School in Algappanagar, he joined the diocese of Agra aspiring to become a missionary priest in 1973.
After a language course in St Lawrence Seminary, Agra, he completed his philosophy and theology in St Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Allahabad. He was ordained a priest on May 11, 1983 after which he gave his pastoral services in Etah Mission for a year, and for six years as the rector of St Lawrence Minor Seminary, Agra.
Thereafter, he went to Angelicum University, Rome for his doctorate in spirituality from 1990-1996. On his return, he was appointed the principal of St Dominic’s School, Mathura for a year. From 1997 to 2005, he gave his services for the formation of the future priests in St Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Allahabad: as a staff member for a year, as a vice rector for a year and as a rector for six years. From 2005 – 2007, he rendered his services as a parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Agra and the director of diocesan Pastoral Centre, Agra.
On February 24, 2007 he was appointed as the bishop of Varanasi diocese. He was consecrated as the bishop of Varanasi diocese on April 30, 2007 by the then nuntio Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, succeeding Bishop Patrick Paul D' Souza, the Vatican Radio said while announcing the news. Allahabad diocese is considered to be one of the largest dioceses in the world and comprises 15 civil districts of the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Bishop Raphy is the 11th bishop to shoulder the pastoral care of Allahabad diocese, which has about 100 diocesan and religious priests from Mangalore, Mysore, Shimogga, Kerala and a few from Varanasi.