Diocese of Chilaw

Dioecesis Chilavensis

Bishop(s)

Warnakulasurya Wadumestrige Devasritha Valence Mendis, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 5 January 1939
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Colombo
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Sri Lanka
Square Kilometers: 2,076 (801 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, Chilaw 61000, Sri Lanka
Telephone: (032)2222.332
Fax: 2223.233

Past and Present Ordinaries

Louis Perera, O.M.I. † (5 Jan 1939 Appointed - 8 Apr 1939 Died)
Edmund Peiris, O.M.I. † (12 Jan 1940 Appointed - 27 Dec 1972 Resigned)
Frank Marcus Fernando † (27 Dec 1972 Succeeded - 19 Oct 2006 Retired)
Warnakulasurya Wadumestrige Devasritha Valence Mendis (19 Oct 2006 Succeeded - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
5 January 1939	Erected		Diocese of Chilaw (erected)
15 May 1987	Territory Lost	Diocese of Chilaw	Diocese of Kurunegala (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1950 106,343 667,361 15.9% 43 5 48 2,215 33 158 29 ap1951

1969 189,689 1,156,367 16.4% 71 12 83 2,285 35 262 41 ap1971

1980 216,878 1,679,000 12.9% 71 10 81 2,677 28 232 51 ap1981

1990 203,095 597,000 34.0% 57 11 68 2,986 35 216 35 ap1991

1999 228,295 668,165 34.2% 76 11 87 2,624 30 229 40 ap2000

2000 230,473 676,498 34.1% 74 10 84 2,743 29 233 40 ap2001

2001 231,529 680,674 34.0% 72 10 82 2,823 27 239 40 ap2002

2002 232,825 684,103 34.0% 72 8 80 2,910 26 232 42 ap2003

2003 233,187 679,575 34.3% 64 12 76 3,068 27 223 43 ap2004

2004 231,205 679,113 34.0% 63 12 75 3,082 27 222 44 ap2005

2006 233,708 686,350 34.1% 71 14 85 2,749 57 183 44 ap2007

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1950	106,343	667,361	15.9%	43	5	48	2,215	33	158	29	ap1951
1969	189,689	1,156,367	16.4%	71	12	83	2,285	35	262	41	ap1971
1980	216,878	1,679,000	12.9%	71	10	81	2,677	28	232	51	ap1981
1990	203,095	597,000	34.0%	57	11	68	2,986	35	216	35	ap1991
1999	228,295	668,165	34.2%	76	11	87	2,624	30	229	40	ap2000
2000	230,473	676,498	34.1%	74	10	84	2,743	29	233	40	ap2001
2001	231,529	680,674	34.0%	72	10	82	2,823	27	239	40	ap2002
2002	232,825	684,103	34.0%	72	8	80	2,910	26	232	42	ap2003
2003	233,187	679,575	34.3%	64	12	76	3,068	27	223	43	ap2004
2004	231,205	679,113	34.0%	63	12	75	3,082	27	222	44	ap2005
2006	233,708	686,350	34.1%	71	14	85	2,749	57	183	44	ap2007

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Warnakulasurya Wadumestrige Devasritha Valence Mendis (Priest: 20 Jul 1985; Coadjutor Bishop: 17 Jan 2005; Bishop: 19 Oct 2006)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Frank Marcus Fernando † (Coadjutor Bishop: 8 Jun 1968; Bishop: 27 Dec 1972 to 19 Oct 2006)
Edmund Peiris, O.M.I. † (Bishop: 12 Jan 1940 to 27 Dec 1972)
Louis Perera, O.M.I. † (Bishop: 5 Jan 1939 to 8 Apr 1939)