Mysuru: Rev K A William was ordained as the seventh bishop of Mysuru Diocese at a religious event at St. Philomena’s Cathedral here on Monday. Archbishop of Bengaluru Arch Diocese Rev Dr Bernard Moras, apostolic administrator of the Mysuru diocese Rev Thomas Antony Vazhapilly and Bishop of Chikkamagaluru Rev T Anthony Swamy conducted the religious event. Fr William was appointed bishop for the diocese by Pope Francis, and the announcement was made on January 25, 2017.
The Mysuru diocese, comprises four districts of Karnataka — Mysuru, Mandya, Kodagu and Chamarajanagar. Bishop Emeritus Reverend Thomas Anthony Vazhapilly officiated the ordination while Bengaluru Archbishop Reverend Bernard Moras and Chikkamagaluru Bishop Reverend T Anthony Swamy, were the co-consecrators. The bishop is the spiritual head of all Catholic Churches in the four districts. As many as 180 parishes, 131 diocesan priests, 23 male religious and 55 female religious congregations in six deaneries, apart from 136 educational institutes falling under the Mysuru Diocese. Thomas Vazhapilly, resigned on turning 75, the maximum age to hold any post before serving as bishop for 14 years since 2003.
About new bishop Rev K A William:
Reverend William, a native of Polibetta, Kodagu, was educated in Mysuru. He did his schooling at Good Shepherd Convent (elementary), St Mary’s (primary) and St Philomena’s (high school) and completed his pre-university education from St Philomena’s College. William joined the seminary and completed theological studies from St Mary’s Minor seminary, Mysuru and St Peter’s Pontifical seminary, Bengaluru. William has done his master’s degree in Canon Law and Christianity. He was ordained a priest on May 18, 1993 and has served as parish priest of St Thomas Church, Thomayarapalaya and Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Martalli, Kollegala and at Our of Lady of Lourdes Church, Gundlupet, Chamarajanagar and the Holy Family Church, Hinkal, Mysuru, St Philomena’s Church and St Joseph’s Church, Jayalakshmipuram.
