Roman Catholic Diocese of Bhagalpur

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bhagalpur (Latin: Bhagalpuren(sis)) is a diocese located in the city of Bhagalpur in the Ecclesiastical province of Patna in India.

Diocese of Bhagalpur

Dioecesis Bhagalpurensis
Location
Country India
Ecclesiastical provincePatna
MetropolitanPatna
Statistics
Area17,766 km2 (6,859 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics (including non-members)
(as of 2012)
9,446,000
78,359 (0.8%)
Parishes140[1]
Schools70
Information
RiteLatin Rite
CathedralCathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Bhagalpur
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
BishopKurian (Ciriaco) Valiakandathil
Metropolitan ArchbishopWilliam D'Souza
Website
http://www.dioceseofbhagalpur.org/

History

This was the first building where the Christian Settlement at Bhagalpur Diocese began

Christian presence from 1779 has been documented. The early Christians were mainly indigo planters, railwaymen and their dependents. They did have a few handful of natives.

During the Capuchin Period (1779-1919), Bhagalpur was at first the part of Prefecture of Tibet-Hindustan erected by the Sacred Congregation of the Evangelisation of the Peoples in 1703. It became a resident station in 1783.

The Jesuit Period (1919-1983): The Patna Jesuits started working here since 1921. Their missionary efforts were directed mainly among the Santhals.

On 3 August 1956,[2][3] Bhagalpur was detached from the Patna Diocese and the Prefecture Apostic was established. Msgr. Urban McGarry tor, was appointed the Prefect Apostolic.

It was promoted as Diocese of Bhagalpur on 11 January 1965.[2][3] Most Rev Urban Eugene McGarry tor[2][3] was appointed as its first Bishop. The diocese comprised the districts of Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui and the civil blocks of lakshmipur, Kharagpur and Tarapur of Mnger district of Bihar, Godda, Giridih, Deoghar and Sarawan of Deoghar district and Mandro block of Sahebgunj district of Jharkhand.

Jharkhand controversies

In July 2018, Sister Konsalia Balsa and charity worker Anima Indwar, who both served in the local Missionaries of Charity chapter, were arrested for selling a baby in Jharkhand they put up for adoption through Missionaries of Charity for $1750.[4] Catholic property in Jharkhand falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Bhagalpur.[5]

On September 10, 2019, Crux reported that Father Benoy John and catechist Munna Hansda were part of an effort to forcibly convert locals in Jharkhand and were arrested on charges of forced conversion on September 6, 2019.[5] Father Arun Vincent was also suspected of working with John and Hansda, but was not formally arrested and later released.[5] Both John and Hansda were also revealed to have illegally occupying land to

Leadership

  • Bishops of Bhagalpur (Latin Rite)
    • Bishop Kurian (Ciriaco) Valiakandathil (11 January 2007 – present)[3]
Bishop Kurian Valiakandathil of Diocese of Bhagalpur
    • Bishop Thomas Kozhimala (14 June 1996 – 1 June 2005)[3]
Bishop Thomas Kozhimala of Diocese of Bhagalpur
    • Bishop George Victor Saupin, S.J. (30 November 1987 – 2 August 1993)[3]
    • Bishop Urban Eugen McGarry, T.O.R. (11 January 1965 – 30 November 1987)[3]
  • Prefects Apostolic of Bhagalpur (Latin Rite)
    • Fr. Urban Eugen McGarry, T.O.R. (later Bishop) (1956 – 11 January 1965)

Seminary

The seminary at Sahibgunj

This seminary at Bhagalpur, Sahibgunj is the training center for the first two years of priesthood. A hostel is attached to the seminary where students live. To the right is the hostel and to the left is the seminary.

Hospitals

There are 42 hospitals run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur.

Psychiatric hospital run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur

Punaruthanam Ashram at Sahebgunj is working for the Psychiatric patients of Bhagalpur

Schools

Bishop Urban School at Sahebgunj, Bhagalpur

There are more than 70 schools run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur. The most well known are St. Joseph's School - Bhagalpur, Mount Assisi School - Bhagalpur, Mount Carmel School - Bhagalpur, St. Joseph's School - Kahalgaon, St. Teresa School - Bhagalpur, C.M.S. School - Bhagalpur, St. Paul's School Bhagalpur.

The list of Schools is given here:

SchoolLocationPrincipal
Carmel SchoolGiridihM. Basil
Mount Carmel SchoolBhagalpurCarmine Marie
Mount Assisi SchoolBhagalpurAugustine Kulapuram
Mount Assisi School, RanitalabBhagalpurThomas Chittookalam
Saint Francis School DeogharDeogharJohn Kochuchira
St. Thomas School, GoddaGoddaValson
St. Joseph's School, JhajhaJamuiMathew A.C.
St. Joseph's School, KabirpurBhagalpurVarghese Panangatt
St. Joseph's School, NTPCBhagalpurVincent Saldanha
St. Joseph's School, PakarthallaBhagalpurAugustine Pereira
St. Francis Junior School, JasidihDeogharSr. Caroline
St. Theresa's SchoolBhagalpurSr. Scholastica
St. Theresa's School, AliganjBhagalpurSr. Rosemeir
St. Joseph's School, JagathpurBankaJoseph Thanniparampil

Hostels

List of Boys hostels run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur

HostelLocation
Sacred Heart Hostel, BabumahalBanka
Savio Hostel, BacchaSahebganj
St. Joseph's Hostel, BaromasiaGodda.
St. Paul's Hostel, BhaluaJamui
St. Patrick's Hostel, BasmataBanka.
St. Joseph's Hostel, BelatanrGiridih
Sacred Heart Hostel, ChakaiJamui
Prabhat Tara Hostel, ChandanahatGodda
St. Theresa's Hostel, CharkapatharBanka.
St. Joseph's Hostel, ChirkeeGiridih.
St. Joseph's Hostel, DakaitaGodda.
St. Joseph's Hostel, ChirkeeGiridih.
Boys Hostel, DambruhatGodda
St. Mary's Hostel, KhorimahuaGiridih
St. Thomas's Hostel, DulabithaGiridih
St. Jude's Hostel, DumariaBanka.
Vianney Hostel, Giridih.Giridih
Cannel English Medium School HostelGiridih.
Carmel Hindi Medium School HostelGiridih
St. Mary's Hostel, AgiamurGodda
Krist Raja HostelGodda
St. Stanislaus Hostel, GokhlaBhagalpur
Prabhat Tara Hostel, HarimohraBanka
Jhajha-Arunoday Hostel, JhajhaJamui.
St. Xavier's Hostel, KharagpurMunger.
St. Joseph's Hostel, LeelaSahebganj
St. John Britto H.S.Hostel, MaheshmundaGiridih
St. John Britto M.S.Hostel, MaheshmundaGiridih
Infant Jesus Hostel, MangraGodda.
Mission Hostel, ManikbathanGodda
St. Daniel's Hostel, MariampahariJamui
St. Francis H. S. Hostel, PoreyahatGodda
St. Francis M. S. Hostel, PoreyahatGodda
St. Anthony's Hostel, PhulbariaGodda
Pushpa Hostel, SokhoJamui
St. Thomas Hostel, SundermurGodda
St. Paul's Hostel, ThillaiyaGiridih
St. Anthony's Hostel, TilkimaronGiridih
Little Flower Hostel, KusumbaGodda.
St. Mary's Hostel, TisriGiridih.

List of Girls hostels run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur

HostelLocation
St. Mary's Hostel, AgiamurGodda
Savio Hostel, BacchaSahebganj.
St. Joseph's Hostel, BaromasiaGodda.
St. Paul's Hostel, BhaluaJamui
St. Patrick's Hostel, BhaluaJamui.
St. Patricks's Hostel, BasmataBanka.
Holy Cross Hostel, BelatanrGiridih.
Sacred Heart Hostel, ChakaiJamui
Holy Cross Hostel, ChandnahatGodda.
Holy Family Hostel, CharkapatharBanka
St. Joseph's Hostel, ChirkyDt.Giridih
St. Joseph's Hostel, DakaitaGodda
St. Joseph's Hostel, DambruhatGodda.
Maria Hostel, KhorimahuaGiridih
Holy Cross Hostel, DulabithaGiridih.
St. Jude's Hostel, DumariaBanka
St. Michael's H. S. Hostel, GokhlaBhagalpur
Nirmala H. S. Hostel, HarimohraBanka
St. Francis Hostel, KathibariGodda
Xavier Hostel, KharagpurMunger.
St. Joseph's Hostel, LeelaSahebganj.
Krist Raja Hostel, Godda.Godda
St. Michael's M. S. Hostel, GokhlaBhagalpur.
Holy Family Hostel, MangraGodda
Holy Family Hostel, MariampahariJamui
Holy Family Hostel, PoreyahatGodda.
St. Anthony's Hostel, PhulbariaGodda
Pushpa Hostel, SokhoJamui.
St. Thomas's Hostel, SundermurGodda.
St. Paul's Hostel, ThillaiyaGiridih.
St. Mary's Hostel, TisriGiridih
Little Flower Hostel, KusumbaGodda
The Old Church at Sahebgunj
This is the Cemetery at Sahebgunj, Bhagalpur

Social Initiatives

The Diocese of Bhagalpur has been involved in helping people around Bhagalpur in all the districts that it operates. They provide flood relief material and are able to mobilize resources and money for the charity work during local disasters (Mainly flood)

The Diocese of Bhagalpur has attempted to bring good understanding between various religions. All schools of the Diocese cater to every religion and sect. There is special provision for the needy in most of the schools.

Dialogue Between Religious leaders

Dialogues between religious leaders are often conducted by the Diocese.

Buddhist monk hosted by Diocese of Bhagalpur
Shri Shankaracharya Hosted by the Diocese of Bhagalpur
Hindu Yoga Instructor hosted by Diocese of Bhagalpur

References

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