Felix Toppo to take over as Archbishop of Ranchi

Jamshedpur Bishop Felix Toppo will be the new Archbishop of Ranchi.

He replaces Cardinal Telesphore P Toppo, who resigned from the post and the Apostolic Nunciature today accepted it under the Canon Law, according to a press release.

The resignation of Telesphore P Toppo as the Bishop was announced by Pope Francis in Rome at noon (local time) today and 3.30 pm (IST), the release said.

A meeting would be held on June 28 to finalise the date for installation ceremony of Bishop Felix Toppo as the Bishop, Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Secretary General Bishop Theodore Mascarnerenhas told a press conference here.

Till then, Cardinal Telesophore P Toppo will continue the Archbishops responsibilities, he said.

Archbishop-elect Felix Toppo was born in Gumla on November 21, 1947. He was ordained a priest on April 14, 1982. He obtained Masters degree in Psychology from Gregorian University, Rome, in 1990, the release said.

After serving the Jesuit Congregation in various capacities director of Pre-Novices, Novice Master and Superior, he was elected Bishop of Jamshedpur on June 14, 1997 and was consecrated on September 27, 1997.

As Bishop, he was the chairman of CBCI office for Clergy and Religious for four years and National Vocation Service Centre in Pune for four years.

Currently, he is the governing body chairman of the CBCI Society for Medical Education, North India; chairman of JHAAN Regional Bishops Council and of two regional commissions; and vice chancellor of St Alberts College in Ranchi, the release said.

Cardinal Toppo, who has been the Ranchi Archbishop for the past 35 years, thanked all sections of the society for their love and support.

Without their support and love, I would never have been able to do anything. Our mutual bonding is everlasting, the Cardinal said.