Pastoral appointments announced Jan. 28

Published: January 30, 2023

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments, Jan. 27-28, 2023, for the Diocese of Little Rock.

Effective Jan. 26:

  • Rev. Irudaya Raj Nalazala Augustine, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore, India, appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway, St. Boniface Church in Bigelow (New Dixie) and St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier.
  • Rev. Divya Nathan Paulin Raj Vatakali, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore, India, appointed associate pastor of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock.
  • Rev. Manikyaraju Kotha, a priest of the Diocese of Nellore, India, appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln.
  • Rev. Anthony Robbins relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway, St. Boniface Church in Bigelow (New Dixie) and St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier to begin a leave of absence. This leave of absence is for personal reasons and at his request. It is not the result of any concerns of wrongdoing on his part.
  • Rev. Balaraju Desam appointed temporary administrator of St. Joseph Church in Conway, St. Boniface Church in Bigelow (New Dixie) and St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier.

Effective Feb. 1:

  • Rev. Taryn Whittington appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway, St. Boniface Church in Bigelow (New Dixie), St. Oscar Romero Catholic Community in Greenbrier, and Catholic Campus Ministry in Conway. This is in addition to his responsibilities as part-time instructor at the House of Formation in Little Rock. He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Little Italy.
  • Dc. Brad Brown appointed administrator and spiritual advisor of Trinity Catholic School in Fort Smith. This is in addition to his responsibilities as deacon at St. Boniface Church in Fort Smith.
  • Rev. John K. Antony, JCL, relieved of his responsibilities as administrator of Trinity Catholic School in Fort Smith. He remains pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith and Our Lady of the Ozarks Shrine in Winslow.
  • Rev. Balaraju Akkala relieved of his responsibilities as chaplain of Trinity Catholic School in Fort Smith. He remains associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith.

Effective March 1:

  • Rev. Jules Norbert "Eliseo" Njopmo relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs for reasons of health to return to his home Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, France.