In the light of the Communication received from the Apostolic Nunciature, His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Dennis Panipitchai, SDB, as Auxiliary Bishop of Miao. This ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Friday, June 8, 2018, at noon local time, corresponding to 15:30 hours, Indian Standard Time.

Rev. Fr. Dennis Panipitchai, SDB, was born in Colachel, in the Diocese of Kottar (Tamil Nadu), on July 27, 1958. After attending St. Mary’s Parish School in Colachel, in 1976 he entered the pre-novitiate of the Salesians in Shillong and there he did his novitiate in 1979. On May 24, 1980, he made his first profession as a simple brother. Later he felt the call to priesthood and did his philosophy formation at Divyadaan Salesian Institute of Philosophy, Nashik. He continued with theology at Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong. He obtained a Master’s degree in Theology and in a civil subject. After making his solemn profession, on the same day he was ordained Priest, on December 27, 1991.

He served in the following ministries: Dean of Studies, Salesian pre-novitiate, Rua Home, Jorhat, Dibrugarh (1992-1995); Administrator of Don Bosco Bible School, Tinsukia, Diocese of Dibrugarh (1995-1997); Incharge of Don Bosco School, Borduria, now in the Diocese of Miao (1998-2000); Principal of Don Bosco School, Miao and Assistant Priest in the same Parish, Archdiocese of Imphal (2001- 2004); Parish Priest at Mary Help of Christians Church, Borduria, now in the Diocese of Miao (2004-2009); Principal of Don Bosco School, Kohima (2009-2015). Since 2015 he is Parish Priest of Mary Immaculate Parish, Chingmeirong, in the Archdiocese of Imphal. Since 2012 he is also Provincial Counsellor.

“We send our prayerful greetings and best wishes to Bishop-elect Dennis Panipitchai, welcome him to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and assure him of our prayers,” said Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX Secretary General, CBCI.