Pope Benedict XVI on October 29 appointed Father Sebastian Tudu as the bishop of predominantly tribal Dinajpur diocese in northwestern Bangladesh.

Father Tudu, 44, a tribal Santal diocesan priest was the assistant rector at country’s only Holy Spirit National Major Seminary in Dhaka at the time of his appointment.

He succeeds Holy Cross Bishop Moses M. Costa who was appointed bishop of southeastern Chittagong diocese on April 6 this year.

The post of the Holy See remained vacant until then while Father Joseph Marandy served as administrator of the diocese.

Father Tudu was born on 17 June, 1967 at Changura village of northwestern Gaibandha district. His priestly ordination took place on 30 December, 1999 at Mariampur parish in Dinajpur.