Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Anand David Xalxo as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Ranchi. The appointment marks an important milestone in the life and ministry of the 51-year-old priest, who has served the archdiocese in several key roles.

Bishop-elect Anand David Xalxo is currently the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Ranchi and the parish priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Born on November 20, 1975, in Mandar, near Ranchi, he completed his early education in his hometown. He began his priestly formation at St. John Vianney Minor Seminary in Kolkata and later continued his studies at St. Albert’s College and St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi. He completed his theological studies at St. Albert’s College and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Ranchi on May 15, 2006.

After his ordination, Fr. Xalxo served as the private secretary to Cardinal Telesphore Toppo. He later pursued postgraduate studies in hospital administration in Mangaluru.

During his priestly ministry, he held several important positions, including Associate Director of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India Society for Medical Education in North India and Secretary to the Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India in New Delhi. He also served as Public Relations Officer, administrator of the Archbishop’s House, and director of various pastoral and social ministries in Ranchi. Since 2024, he has been serving as the Vicar General of the Archdiocese. His appointment as Auxiliary Bishop is expected to strengthen the pastoral mission of the Archdiocese of Ranchi.

Sathyadeepam Weekly