Pope Francis has appointed a new bishop of Trincomalee, according to the Vatican.

Revd Fr Christian Noel Emmanuel will be succeeding Bishop Joseph Kingsley Swampillai, who resigned after he reached the age limit for the role.

The bishop-elect was born in Trincomalee in 1960 and was ordained a priest 26 years later.

He has served as parish priest, diocesan head of catechism and liturgy, and professor at the diocesan seminary, and is currently vicar and bursar of the diocese.

He was ordained deacon in spring 1985 and received priestly ordination in 1986 in the Cathedral of Trincomalee.

It is thought that the Diocese of Trincomalee has a population of almost 400,000 according to the Vatican, and just under 20,000 are thought to be Catholic.

(Premier Christian Radio News)