Resignation of bishop of Clonfert, Ireland, and appointment of successor
Appointment of bishop of Bereina, Papua New Guinea
Appointment of bishop of Srikakulam, India
Appointment of auxiliary of Cebu, Philippines
Resignation of bishop of Clonfert, Ireland, and appointment of successor
The Holy Father Francis has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Clonfert, Ireland, presented by H.E. Msgr. John Kirby.
The Pope has appointed as bishop of Clonfert, Ireland, the Rev. Michael Duignan, of the clergy of the diocese of Elphin, currently diocesan secretary and episcopal chancellor.
Rev. Michael Duignan
The Rev. Michael Duignan was born in Rooskey, Bealnamulla, Athlone on 15 July 1970. He carried out his philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, as a student of the Pontifical Irish Seminary. He subsequently obtained a licentiate and a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Elphin on 17 July 1994.
Since priestly ordination he has served as deputy priest at Saint Mary, Sligo (1995-1997), and chaplain of the Sligo Regional College (1997-1998).
Upon returning to Ireland, after concluding his studies in Rome, he served as lecturer of theology and religious teaching at the Saint Angela’s College of Sligo (2002-2005) and parish vicar of Cliffoney, County Sligo.
In 2008 he became director of the permanent diaconate of the diocese, and then in 2014, at national level. Since 2014 he has served as diocesan secretary, chancellor and diocesan vicar for education.
Appointment of bishop of Bereina, Papua New Guinea
The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Bereina, Papua New Guinea, H.E. Msgr. Otto Separy, currently bishop of Aitape.
Appointment of bishop of Srikakulam, India
The Pope has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Srikakulam, India, the Rev. Fr. Vijaya Kumar Rayarala, P.I.M.E., currently regional superior of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in India.
Rev. Fr. Vijaya Kumar Rayarala, P.I.M.E.
The Rev. Fr. Vijaya Kumar Rayarala, P.I.M.E., was born on 15 October 1969 in Khammam, in the diocese of Khammam.
In 1990 he entered the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (P.I.M.E.), and in the years 1990 to 1991 attended a preparatory course at Saint John’s Minor Seminary in Nidadavolu, Eluru. From 1991 to 1993 he carried out his studies in philosophy at the Jnana Deep Vidyapeet in Pune. From 1993 to 1998 he studied theology and spirituality at the International Theologate of the P.I.M.E. in Monza, Italy. From 2000 to 2003 he studied for a licentiate in biblical theology from the Università di San Luigi in Posillipo, Naples. He gave his solemn profession in the P.I.M.E. on 25 August 1997.
He was ordained a priest on 29 August 1998, for the same Institute.
Since priestly ordination he has held the following offices: vocational animator at the Saint Xavier’s Institutions in Eluru (1998-2000); missionary and parish priest in Papua New Guinea (2003-2006); associate director of the Centre for Rehabilitation for Lepers in Bombay (2006-2008); director of the Centre for Rehabilitation for Lepers in Bombay (2008-2014); and since 2014, regional superior of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in India and, at the same time, member of the college of consultors of the diocese of Eluru.
Appointment of auxiliary of Cebu, Philippines
The Pope has appointed as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Cebu, Philippines, the Rev. Midyphil B. Billones, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Jaro, rector of the Saint Joseph Regional Seminary of Jaro, assigning him the titular see of Tagarata.
Rev. Midyphil B. Billones
The Rev. Midyphil B. Billones was born in Pay-ay, in the archdiocese of Capiz, on 4 July 1969. He carried out his higher studies and those in philosophy at the Saint Vincent Ferrer seminary of Iloilo City and those in theology at the Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City, Manila, obtaining a master’s degree in theology. From 2004 to 2012 he attended the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, where he was awarded a doctorate in theology.
He was ordained a priest for the archdiocese of Jaro on2 October 1995.
For two years, from 1995 to 1997, he was parish vicar of the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, then personal secretary first to Archbishop Piamonte of Jaro (1997-2000), then to his successor Archbishop Lagdameo (2000-2001). He also served as member of the presbyteral council, vice-chancellor, president of the Youth Commission and notary of the Third Diocesan Synod.
Upon returning from Rome in 2011, he served until 2013 as vice-rector and director of human formation at the Saint Joseph Regional Seminary of Jaro, subsequently becoming rector. He has held this office since 2013, serving at the same time as member of the presbyteral council and president of the Diocesan Commission for the Laity.
