Diocese of Dharmapuri

---

Bishop(s) Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj, S.D.B., Bishop

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: P.O. Box 32, Nethaji By-pass Road, Dharmapuri-636701, India Telephone: (04342)64.403 Fax: 62.200

---

Past and Present Ordinaries

• Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj, S.D.B. (24 Jan 1997 Appointed - )

---

Historical Summary

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

---

Statistics

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

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

---

Affiliated Bishops

• Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj, S.D.B. (Bishop: 24 Jan 1997 - )