A new diocese and some new bishops

The Holy Father this morning erected the diocese of Gulbarga, India, as a suffragan to the Archdiocese of Bangalore, its territory coming from the Archdiocese of Hyderabad and the dioceses of Bellary and Belgaum. The Holy Father named as the diocese's first bishop Father Robert Miranda, a native and priest of the diocese of Mangalore.

The Holy Father this morning also named Father Fidelis Rakotonarivo, S.J, as the new bishop of Ambositra, Madagascar. He is a native of the diocese and head of the Jesuit community there.

The Holy Father named as auxiliary bishop of Monterrey, Mexico, Monsignor Alfonso Cortés Contreras, a priest of the Archdiocese and Rector of the Pontifical Mexican College in Rome.