Bishop announces pastoral appointments

Published: December 16, 2016

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments for the Diocese of Little Rock on Friday, December 16, 2016.

Effective Jan. 3

• Rev. Athanasius Okeiyi relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Pocahontas, St. Joseph the Worker Church in Corning and St. John the Baptist Church in Engelberg to begin his studies as directed by his bishop, Bishop Lucius I. Ugorji of Umuahia, Nigeria.
• Rev. Mariadass Vallapaneni appointed administrator of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Pocahontas, St. Joseph the Worker Church in Corning and St. John the Baptist Church in Engelberg. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway.

Effective Feb. 7

• Rev. James P. West appointed pastor of St. Edward Church in Texarkana, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Ashdown and Sacred Heart Church in Foreman. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs.
• Rev. Chinnaiah Irudayaraj (Y.C.) Yeddanapalli appointed pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist Church in Hot Springs. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Benton.
• Rev. Paul Francis Worm appointed pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Benton. He is relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Edward Church in Texarkana, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Ashdown and Sacred Heart Church in Foreman.
• Rev. Josely Kalathil, IMS, relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Scranton, Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Morrison Bluff and St. Meinrad Church in Prairie View to continue his ministry with the Indian Missionary Society.
• Rev. John Miranda appointed administrator of St. Ignatius Church in Scranton, Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Morrison Bluff and St. Meinrad Church in Prairie View. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers and administrator of St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville.
• Rev. Kevin Atunzu appointed associate pastor of St. Stephen Church in Bentonville and administrator of St. John the Evangelist Church in Huntsville. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock.
• Rev. Francis Madanu appointed associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of St. Stephen Church in Bentonville.
• Dc. Marcelino Luna appointed deacon at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Benton. This is in addition to his current responsibilities as associate director of faith formation in the Diocese of Little Rock. He is relieved of his diaconal responsibilities at St. Edward Church in Little Rock.