Pope Francis has appointed Father Vijaya Kumar Rayarala as the second bishop of Srikakulam diocese in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

The bishop-elect is currently the regional superior of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions or PIME.

The diocese of Srikakulam was lying vacant after the resignation of Bishop Addagatla Innayya Chinna on December 12, 2018.