OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 10, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the territorial abbey of Saint-Maurice, Switzerland, presented by Bishop Henri Salina of the Canons Regular of the Swiss Congregation of Saint-Maurice, in accordance with Canon 401, paragraph 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

- Erected the diocese of Gwalior (area 33,584, population 5,566,723, Catholics 2,188, priests 27, religious 45), India, taking territory from the diocese of Jhansi, making it suffragan to the Metropolitan church of Bhopal. He also appointed Fr. Joseph Kaithathara as first bishop of Gwalior. The bishop-elect was born in Gothuruth, India, in 1939, was ordained a priest in 1963, and since 1996 has been pastor of St. John's in Gwalior.

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