Ranchi, Sept. 29: The Vatican today appointed Vincent Barwa, bishop of Purnea, Bihar, as the auxiliary bishop of the Ranchi archdiocese to assist Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo in the discharge of his official duties.

The new appointment was today announced simultaneously from Ranchi, New Delhi and the Vatican, in keeping with the pontifical traditions.

Father Barwa is expected to assume charge of his new responsibilities on October 1.

A confirmatory message is also being sent to the ministry of external affairs by the Papal ambassador in New Delhi, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana. A simple reception has been planned for Bishop Barwa on October 10 at Uliyatu, the birth place of the legendary tribal leader Birsa Munda. A rare statue of Mother Mary feeding the child Jesus is to be unveiled the same day at the local church.

Soon after his elevation as cardinal in September last year, Toppo had made a formal request to Rome seeking a suitable hand to assist him in his official duties.

?I wasn?t being able to spare enough time for the Ranchi archdiocese as I have to frequently travel to different parts of the country and abroad,? Toppo said.