New diocese created in Odisha, first bishop appointed

The new diocese of Rayagada is a suffragan of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar archdiocese.

Vatican City:  A new diocese has been created on April 11 in Odisha with territories taken from the diocese of Berhampur and Father P Aplinar Senapati appointed its first bishop.}

}Bishop-elect Senapati of the newly named Rayagada diocese is an Odiya Vincentian priest.

He is currently parish priest of St. Vincent De Paul Parish and principal of the English ‎Medium School at Derapathar in Guwahati Archdiocese of Assam.

Born Oct. 28, 1960 at Surada in Ganjam district of Odisha, Fr. Senapati studied at the local Technical High School. He studied philosophy at Aquinas College in Gopalpur-on-Sea, near Berhampur, as a Vincentian novice.

He had his theology studies in Pune, from where he also obtained a diploma in psychology and formation. He also holds degrees in economics and philosophy from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.

Following his priestly ordination in 1990, he served in the parishes of Berhampur Diocese‎, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar archdiocese and Guwahati Archdiocese.

He also worked at the Vincentian minor seminary at Barpada and was Master of novices at Stella Maris Novitiate in Gopalpur of Berhampur Diocese.

The new diocese of Rayagada is a suffragan of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar archdiocese, and will cover the districts of Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada and Rayagada.

It would have 30 diocesan and 12 religious priests, 104 nuns, 270 catechists, 23 parishes, 377 mission stations, 8 men congregations and 25 women congregations.