Diocese of Dharmapuri

Dioecesis Dharmapuriensis

Bishop(s)

Lawrence Pius Dorairaj, Bishop
Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj, S.D.B., Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 24 January 1997
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: India
Square Kilometers: 8,327 (3,216 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, P.O. Box 32, Nethaji By-pass Road, Dharmapuri-636701, Tamil Nadu, India
Telephone: (04342)264.403
Fax: 262.200

Past and Present Ordinaries

Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj, S.D.B. (24 Jan 1997 Appointed - 13 Jan 2012 Retired)
Lawrence Pius Dorairaj (13 Jan 2012 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
24 January 1997	Erected	Diocese of Salem	Diocese of Dharmapuri (erected)

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

1997 39,147 220,788 17.7% 35 5 40 978 5 192 22 ap2002

2002 42,126 2,630,810 1.6% 42 11 53 794 11 246 27 ap2003

2003 43,082 2,733,252 1.6% 45 10 55 783 10 250 30 ap2004

2004 43,589 2,790,456 1.6% 48 10 58 751 10 250 30 ap2005

2006 52,169 2,856,300 1.8% 51 12 63 828 12 235 32 ap2007

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1997	39,147	220,788	17.7%	35	5	40	978	5	192	22	ap2002
2002	42,126	2,630,810	1.6%	42	11	53	794	11	246	27	ap2003
2003	43,082	2,733,252	1.6%	45	10	55	783	10	250	30	ap2004
2004	43,589	2,790,456	1.6%	48	10	58	751	10	250	30	ap2005
2006	52,169	2,856,300	1.8%	51	12	63	828	12	235	32	ap2007

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Lawrence Pius Dorairaj (Bishop: 13 Jan 2012)
Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj, S.D.B. (Bishop: 24 Jan 1997 to 13 Jan 2012)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

None