Salesian Priest Appointed CBCI Communications Secretary

NEW DELHI, MAY 14, 2008, 09.20 Hrs (CBCI News):

The Salesian priest, Fr George Plathottam, 52, has been appointed executive secretary of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications.

Currently, Fr Plathottam serves as the Director of the Department of Mass Media at St. Anthony’s College. The college offers two BA (Hons) courses in Communication and media studies.

Fr Plathottam will succeed Fr Henry D’Souza, who has been appointed Bishop of Bellary.

Fr George Plathottam has been the president of the Indian Catholic Press Association for 3 years.

Fr Plathottam holds a graduate degree with English major from North Bengal University and a Master’s Degree in Theology with specialisation in Social Communications, from the Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong.

He obtained a Master’s degree in Journalism and Communications from Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu.

Currently, Fr Plathottam is pursuing Ph D in North Eastern Hill University on the theme: Press and Social Responsibility.

Fr George has authored several articles on Social Communications, Church, Tribal Social life and Culture of the Northeast India.

He has authored and edited books for youth, scouting, pastoral and educational purposes and published newsletters, reviews, magazines etc.

He is the Founder-Director of Don Bosco Communications, in Guwahati, a centre for the promotion and development of media and social communication.

He has been a correspondent of the South Asian Religious News (SAR News) since its establishment in 1981, and a correspondent of the Union of Catholic Asia News (UCA News) for several years. In 1991, he was elected President of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), the President of Editaids and the Editor in Chief of the South Asian News (SAR News).

In 1992, he won The North -South Friendship Prize from UCIP and the Government of Germany.