Darjeeling (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Stephen Lepcha, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 8 August 1962
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Calcutta
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: India
Square Kilometers: 48,168 (18,604 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, Darjiling-734101, West Bengal, India
Telephone: (0354)2254.027
Fax: 2254.929

Historical Details

Mission "Sui Iuris" of Sikkim
- Erected: 15 February 1929
- Country: India
Prefecture Apostolic of Sikkim
- Latin Name: de Sikkim
- Elevated: 16 June 1931
- Country: India

Past and Present Ordinaries

Jules Elmire Douénel, M.E.P. † (19 Feb 1929 Appointed - 8 Apr 1937 Resigned)
Aurelio Gianora, C.R.S.M.A. † (14 May 1937 Appointed - 8 Aug 1962 Resigned)
Eric Benjamin † (8 Aug 1962 Appointed - 12 May 1994 Died)
Stephen Lepcha (14 Jun 1997 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Mission "Sui Iuris" of Sikkim
15 February 1929	Erected	Archdiocese of Calcutta Vicariate Apostolic of Tatsienlu	Mission "Sui Iuris" of Sikkim (erected)
Prefecture Apostolic of Sikkim
16 June 1931	Elevated	Mission "Sui Iuris" of Sikkim	Prefecture Apostolic of Sikkim
Diocese of Darjeeling
8 August 1962	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Sikkim	Diocese of Darjeeling
14 June 1997	Territory Lost	Diocese of Darjeeling	Diocese of Bagdogra (erected)

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

Prefecture Apostolic of Sikkim

1950 1,617 200,000 .8% 4 14 18 89 15 18 7 ap1951

Diocese of Darjeeling

1970 25,552 796,640 3.2% 16 80 96 266 275 194 19 ap1971

1980 36,931 2,450,000 1.5% 35 57 92 401 103 34 ap1981

1990 54,400 3,840,000 1.4% 53 57 110 494 145 297 39 ap1991

1999 31,300 3,180,000 1.0% 67 50 117 267 114 300 40 ap2000

2000 30,600 3,180,000 1.0% 60 43 103 297 118 264 44 ap2001

2001 33,780 3,715,000 .9% 63 45 108 312 81 272 49 ap2002

2002 31,943 3,530,542 .9% 67 52 119 268 107 296 50 ap2003

2003 31,943 3,530,542 .9% 68 52 120 266 107 296 50 ap2004

2004 31,942 3,600,000 .9% 61 56 117 273 102 222 35 ap2005

2006 33,553 2,331,153 1.4% 55 45 100 335 90 319 35 ap2007

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Prefecture Apostolic of Sikkim
1950	1,617	200,000	.8%	4	14	18	89	15	18	7	ap1951
Diocese of Darjeeling
1970	25,552	796,640	3.2%	16	80	96	266	275	194	19	ap1971
1980	36,931	2,450,000	1.5%	35	57	92	401	103		34	ap1981
1990	54,400	3,840,000	1.4%	53	57	110	494	145	297	39	ap1991
1999	31,300	3,180,000	1.0%	67	50	117	267	114	300	40	ap2000
2000	30,600	3,180,000	1.0%	60	43	103	297	118	264	44	ap2001
2001	33,780	3,715,000	.9%	63	45	108	312	81	272	49	ap2002
2002	31,943	3,530,542	.9%	67	52	119	268	107	296	50	ap2003
2003	31,943	3,530,542	.9%	68	52	120	266	107	296	50	ap2004
2004	31,942	3,600,000	.9%	61	56	117	273	102	222	35	ap2005
2006	33,553	2,331,153	1.4%	55	45	100	335	90	319	35	ap2007

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

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Eric Benjamin † (Bishop: 8 Aug 1962 to 12 May 1994)
Jules Elmire Douénel, M.E.P. † (Superior: 19 Feb 1929; Prefect: 16 Jun 1931 to 8 Apr 1937)
Aurelio Gianora, C.R.S.M.A. † (Prefect: 14 May 1937 to 8 Aug 1962)

Diocese of Darjeeling

Dioecesis Darieelingensis