By Matters India Reporter

Bangalore: Father Ambrose Pitchaimuthu (51) from the diocese of Chingelput, Tamil Nadu has been appointed as the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), India.

The present National Director Father Faustine Lobo from the diocese of Mangalore completed his five-year term of office.

The PMS in India operates under the Proclamation Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) with its headquarters in Bangalore.

Bishop Raphy Manjaly of Allahabad is the Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Proclamation.

Fr. Ambrose was born on 3 May 1966 at Cheyur, Tamil Nadu and ordained a priest on 25 March 1993. He holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the Catholic University, Leuven and a doctorate in philosophy from Angelicum, Rome. He served the as the assistant parish priest in San Thome Cathedral, Chennai and St. Francis Xavier Church, Pallavaram.

He was the parish priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Chingelput, Sacred Heart Church, Oragadam and Sagaya Annai Alayam, Padappi. He was superintendent of R. C. Schools and the Director of Jeevan Jothi Institute of Administrative Services (JIAS).

He served as Vice-Rector, Registrar, Librarian and professor in Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee. He was the Vicar General of the diocese of Chingleput for seven years.

As Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in India, Fr. Ambrose will be responsible for helping the cause of the missions at the national level. He also has to monitor the projects proposed and sanctioned by the congregation.