Roman Catholic Diocese of Bhagalpur

Diocese of Bhagalpur Dioecesis Bhagalpurensis भागलपुर के सूबा
Location
Country	India
Ecclesiastical province	Patna
Metropolitan	Patna
Statistics
Area	17,766 km² (6,859 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2012) 9,446,000 78,359 (0.8%)
Parishes	140^[1]
Schools	70
Information
Rite	Latin Rite
Cathedral	Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Bhagalpur
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Kurian (Ciriaco) Valiakandathil
Metropolitan Archbishop	William D'Souza
Website
http://www.dioceseofbhagalpur.org/

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.

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 August 3, 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 January 11, 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.

Leadership

Bishops of Bhagalpur (Latin Rite)
- Bishop Kurian (Ciriaco) Valiakandathil (January 11, 2007 – present)^[3]

Bishop Kurian Valiakandathil of Diocese of Bhagalpur

- Bishop Thomas Kozhimala (June 14, 1996 – June 1, 2005)^[3]

Bishop Thomas Kozhimala of Diocese of Bhagalpur

- Bishop George Victor Saupin, S.J. (November 30, 1987 – August 2, 1993)^[3]
- Bishop Urban Eugen McGarry, T.O.R. (January 11, 1965 – November 30, 1987)^[3]
Prefects Apostolic of Bhagalpur (Latin Rite)
- Fr. Urban Eugen McGarry, T.O.R. (later Bishop) (1956 – January 11, 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 semnary.

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:

School	Location	Principal	Phone Number
Carmel School	Giridih	Sr. M. Basil	06532-222524
Mount Carmel School	Bhagalpur	Sr Carmine Marie	0641-2400323
Mount Assisi School	Bhagalpur	Fr. Augustine Kulapuram, TOR	0641-2400316
Mount Assisi School, Ranitalab	Bhagalpur	Fr. Thomas Chittookalam	0641-2400414
St. Francis School	Deoghar	Fr. John Kochuchira	06432-222465
St. Thomas School, Godda	Godda	Fr. Valson George	064221-222025
St. Joseph's School, Jhajha	Jamui	Fr. Mathew A.C.	06349-223258
St. Joseph's School, Kabirpur	Bhagalpur	Fr. Varghese Panangatt.	0641-2500835
St. Joseph's School, NTPC	Bhagalpur	Fr. Vincent Saldanha	923/22226
St. Joseph's School, Pakarthalla	Bhagalpur	Fr. Augustine Pereira	923/22410
St. Francis Junior School, Jasidih	Deoghar	Sr. Caroline	06432-270410
St. Theresa's School	Bhagalpur	Sr. Scholastica, CTC	0641-2400771
St. Theresa's School, Aliganj	Bhagalpur	Sr. Rosemeir, CTC	0641-2420667
St. Joseph's School, Jagathpur	Banka	Fr. Joseph Thanniparampil	06424-232880

Hostels

List of Boys hostels run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur

Hostel	Location
Sacred Heart Hostel, Babumahal	Banka
Savio Hostel, Baccha	Sahebganj
St. Joseph's Hostel, Baromasia	Godda.
St. Paul's Hostel, Bhalua	Jamui
St. Patrick's Hostel, Basmata	Banka.
St. Joseph's Hostel, Belatanr	Giridih
Sacred Heart Hostel, Chakai	Jamui
Prabhat Tara Hostel, Chandanahat	Godda
St. Theresa's Hostel, Charkapathar	Banka.
St. Joseph's Hostel, Chirkee	Giridih.
St. Joseph's Hostel, Dakaita	Godda.
St. Joseph's Hostel, Chirkee	Giridih.
Boys Hostel, Dambruhat	Godda
St. Mary's Hostel, Khorimahua	Giridih
St. Thomas's Hostel, Dulabitha	Giridih
St. Jude's Hostel, Dumaria	Banka.
Vianney Hostel, Giridih.	Giridih
Cannel English Medium School Hostel	Giridih.
Carmel Hindi Medium School Hostel	Giridih
St. Mary's Hostel, Agiamur	Godda
Krist Raja Hostel	Godda
St. Stanislaus Hostel, Gokhla	Bhagalpur
Prabhat Tara Hostel, Harimohra	Banka
Jhajha-Arunoday Hostel, Jhajha	Jamui.
St. Xavier's Hostel, Kharagpur	Munger.
St. Joseph's Hostel, Leela	Sahebganj
St. John Britto H.S.Hostel, Maheshmunda	Giridih
St. John Britto M.S.Hostel, Maheshmunda	Giridih
Infant Jesus Hostel, Mangra	Godda.
Mission Hostel, Manikbathan	Godda
St. Daniel's Hostel, Mariampahari	Jamui
St. Francis H. S. Hostel, Poreyahat	Godda
St. Francis M. S. Hostel, Poreyahat	Godda
St. Anthony's Hostel, Phulbaria	Godda
Pushpa Hostel, Sokho	Jamui
St. Thomas Hostel, Sundermur	Godda
St. Paul's Hostel, Thillaiya	Giridih
St. Anthony's Hostel, Tilkimaron	Giridih
Little Flower Hostel, Kusumba	Godda.
St. Mary's Hostel, Tisri	Giridih.

List of Girls hostels run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur

Hostel	Location
St. Mary's Hostel, Agiamur	Godda
Savio Hostel, Baccha	Sahebganj.
St. Joseph's Hostel, Baromasia	Godda.
St. Paul's Hostel, Bhalua	Jamui
St. Patrick's Hostel, Bhalua	Jamui.
St. Patricks's Hostel, Basmata	Banka.
Holy Cross Hostel, Belatanr	Giridih.
Sacred Heart Hostel, Chakai	Jamui
Holy Cross Hostel, Chandnahat	Godda.
Holy Family Hostel, Charkapathar	Banka
St. Joseph's Hostel, Chirky	Dt.Giridih
St. Joseph's Hostel, Dakaita	Godda
St. Joseph's Hostel, Dambruhat	Godda.
Maria Hostel, Khorimahua	Giridih
Holy Cross Hostel, Dulabitha	Giridih.
St. Jude's Hostel, Dumaria	Banka
St. Michael's H. S. Hostel, Gokhla	Bhagalpur
Nirmala H. S. Hostel, Harimohra	Banka
St. Francis Hostel, Kathibari	Godda
Xavier Hostel, Kharagpur	Munger.
St. Joseph's Hostel, Leela	Sahebganj.
Krist Raja Hostel, Godda.	Godda
St. Michael's M. S. Hostel, Gokhla	Bhagalpur.
Holy Family Hostel, Mangra	Godda
Holy Family Hostel, Mariampahari	Jamui
Holy Family Hostel, Poreyahat	Godda.
St. Anthony's Hostel, Phulbaria	Godda
Pushpa Hostel, Sokho	Jamui.
St. Thomas's Hostel, Sundermur	Godda.
St. Paul's Hostel, Thillaiya	Giridih.
St. Mary's Hostel, Tisri	Giridih
Little Flower Hostel, Kusumba	Godda

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

Information

Figure	Number
diocesan priests	78^[1]
religious priests	24^[1]
religious sisters	345^[1]
religious brothers	7^[1]
orphanages	3
hostels	81
hospitals	42

Address: Chancery Office, Nawab Colony, P.O. Box 61, Bhagalpur-812001, Bihar, India

References

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