Diocese of Bhagalpur

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Bishop(s) Kurian (Ciriaco) Valiakandathil, Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Elevated: 11 January 1965 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Patna Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: India Square Kilometers: 40,000 (15,450 Square Miles) Official Web Site: http://www.dioceseofbhagalpur.org/ Mailing Address: Nawab Colony, P.O. Box 61, Bhagalpur-812001, Bihar, India Telephone: (0641)400.878; 425.281 Fax: 401.183

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Bhagalpur
  • Latin Name: Bhagalpurensis
  • Erected: 3 August 1956
  • Country: India

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Urban Eugen McGarry, T.O.R. † ( 1956 Appointed - 30 Nov 1987 Retired)
• George Victor Saupin, S.J. † (30 Nov 1987 Appointed - 2 Aug 1993 Died)
• Thomas Kozhimala † (14 Jun 1996 Appointed - 1 Jun 2005 Died)
• Kurian (Ciriaco) Valiakandathil (11 Jan 2007 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Bhagalpur
3 August 1956	Erected	Diocese of Patna	Prefecture Apostolic of Bhagalpur (erected)
Diocese of Bhagalpur
11 January 1965	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Bhagalpur	Diocese of Bhagalpur

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Bhagalpur
1970	15,163	5,587,464	.3%	12	26	38	399		38	53	13	ap1971
1980	30,799	7,990,005	.4%	32	25	57	540		58	168	29	ap1981
1990	42,533	11,095,000	.4%	59	22	81	525		30	238	39	ap1991
1999	63,798	15,084,214	.4%	59	24	83	768		66	276	43	ap2000
2000	65,813	10,086,229	.7%	69	25	94	700		42	279	44	ap2001
2001	68,147	10,089,408	.7%	68	23	91	748		38	287	45	ap2002
2002	70,365	8,235,618	.9%	68	23	91	773		39	294	46	ap2003
2003	72,485	8,242,712	.9%	68	24	92	787		36	298	46	ap2004
2004	76,940	8,247,236	.9%	68	26	94	818		39	306	46	ap2005

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

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Affiliated Bishops

• Thomas Kozhimala † (Bishop: 14 Jun 1996 to 1 Jun 2005)
• Urban Eugen McGarry, T.O.R. † (Prefect: 1956; Bishop: 11 Jan 1965 to 30 Nov 1987)
• George Victor Saupin, S.J. † (Bishop: 30 Nov 1987 to 2 Aug 1993)
• Kurian (Ciriaco) Valiakandathil (Priest: 28 Oct 1977; Bishop: 11 Jan 2007 - )