Bishop of Itanagar
Benny Varghese Edathattel was born on April 22, 1970, in Njayappilly, within the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Kothamangalam, Kerala. He attended the Good Shepherd Minor Seminary in Dimapur, subsequently studying Philosophy at Salesian College in Dimapur and Theology at Oriens Theological College in Shillong; he was ordained a priest on April 19, 1999, for the clergy of Kohima. He held the following positions and pursued further studies: Assistant Parish Priest at St. Thomas Church and Vice-Principal of St. John School, Tuensang (1999–2002); Dean of Studies and Administrator of St. Xavier’s Seminary, as well as Director of the Agricultural Training-cum-Production Centre, Jalukie (2002–2004); studies for a Diploma in Pastoral Ministry and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theology (specializing in Small Christian Communities) at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila; Assistant Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina, Philippines (2004–2007); Secretary to the Bishop of Kohima and Diocesan Coordinator for Small Christian Communities (2007–2011); studies for a Master’s degree in History at Gauhati University (2008–2010); Parish Priest of St. Peter’s in Kiphire, Nagaland (2011–2016); Bachelor of Education at Mirza Teachers’ Training College, Assam (2012–2013); Administrator of St. Joseph’s College in Jakhama and Visiting Professor at Oriens Theological College in Shillong (2016–2020). Since 2021, he has served as Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Centre in Songlhuh.