Bangalore (CCBI): His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Fr Joseph Kallarackal (59) as Bishop of Jaipur and accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Oswald Lewis (78) Bishop of Jaipur from the pastoral care of the diocese. This appointment was made public on Saturday, 22nd April,2023.

Fr. Joseph Kallarackal was born on 10 December 1964 at Anavilasam, in the Eparchy of Kanjirapally, Kerala, and was ordained priest on 2 January 1997 for the Diocese of Ajmer. From 1989 to 1997 he studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, in the Diocese of Allahabad. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Allahabad University, Allahabad; he has a Master of Arts in Political Science from MDS University, Ajmer; he also obtained a Bachelor of Education from Ponda, GVMS, Goa.

After his ordination, from 1997 to 2000, he was Vice-Rector of St. Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Ajmer. From 2000 to 2003 he was Parish Priest and Manager, St. Anselm’s School, Nagaur. From 2003 to 2004 he did his studies for B.Ed. in Goa; from 2004 to 2007 he was Dean and Parish Priest at St. Teresa’s Church, Jodphur; from 2007 to 2013 he was the Rector of the Minor Seminary, Ajmer; from 2013 to 2015 he was Parish Priest, Principal and Manager at St. Paul’s School, Falna; from 2015 to 2016 he was Parish Priest, Principal and Manager, at St. Paul’s School, Pali.

From 2016 to 2021 he was Rector of St. Theresa‘s Minor Seminary, Ajmer. From 2021 he is Dean and Parish Priest, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Ajmer.