Fr. Rabindra Kumar Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar

New Delhi, 22 November 2025 (CCBI): Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Rabindra Kumar Ranasingh (53), of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, as the Auxiliary Bishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in Odisha and Titular Bishop of Tuburbo Maggiore. At present, he is the Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church, Jatni and Dean of Cuttack Deanery.

Fr. Ranasingh was born on 9 July 1972 in Kasabasa village in Kandhamal district in Odisha to Mr Janas Ranasingh and Mrs Helena Ranasingh. He was ordained a priest on 18 April 2001 at Holy Rosary Church, Daringbadi.

He began his formation with Philosophy at the Papal Seminary, Pune (1992–1995), followed by Theology at Khristo Jyoti Mohavidyalaya, Sason (1997–2000). He completed a Master of Arts at Bhanja Bihar University, Berhampur (2004–2006). His specialization in Canon Law includes a Licentiate from St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore (2007–2010), and a Doctorate from the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome (2013–2016).

From 2001 to 2004, he was Assistant Parish Priest at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Balliguda. He then served as Bursar and Teacher at St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, Balliguda, from 2004 to 2007. Between 2010 and 2012, he worked as Diocesan Director for Youth, Judge at the Diocesan Tribunal, and Teacher at St. Paul’s Minor Seminary. In 2012–2013, he became Rector of St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, while also serving as Diocesan Vocation Promoter and Judge in the Diocesan Tribunal.

His ministry in formation continued as Spiritual Director and Professor at Khristo Jyoti Mahavidyalaya, Sason in Sambalpur district from 2017 to 2018, where he also served as Judge in the Marriage Tribunal. From 2018 to 2025, he led the Khristo Jyoti Institute of Theology, Sason, as its Director.

By Dr. Stephen Alathara