Diocese of Raiganj
| Diocese of Raiganj | |
|---|---|
| File:Diocese of Raiganj.jpg | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Ecclesiastical province | Calcutta |
| Metropolitan | Calcutta |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 8,920 km2 (3,440 sq mi) |
| Population Total Catholics |
(as of 2010) 7,814,142 95,663 (1.2%) |
| Parishes | • Debijhora • Chopra • Islampur • Majlispur • Nichamari • Nichitpur • Altapur • Bolaigaon • Sinaipur • Mustafanagar • Garamtoli • Jordighi • Rajibpur • Bastonkor • Mahinagar • Badamail • Mehendipara • Patiram • Bishrail • Kumarganj • Pransnagar • Jitarpur • Banjhapara • Dikul • Bangar • Kathnidanga • Agunpur • Alampur • Rahutara • Rathbari |
| Information | |
| Cathedral | St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral, Chotparua |
| Patron saint | Saint Joseph |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Pope Leo XIV |
| Bishop | Bishop Fuljence Aloysius Tigga (2016-Present) Bishop Alphonsus F. D'Souza, S.J. (1987–2016) Bishop Leo Tigga, S.J. (1978–1986) |
| Metropolitan Archbishop | The Most Rev. Thomas D'Souza |
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Raiganj is located in Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India. Established on June 8, 1978, by Pope Paul VI through the Apostolic Bull Ut Petrus et Pastor, it was formed by detaching territories from the Diocese of Dumka, specifically the districts of West Dinajpur and Malda. Subsequently, West Dinajpur was divided into North and South Dinajpur districts.
History
- June 8, 1978: Established as the Diocese of Raiganj from the Diocese of Dumka
- The St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral, located in Chotparua village near Raiganj, serves as the diocesan cathedral. The current structure was inaugurated on November 17, 2010, replacing the previous tin-roofed church that had become inadequate for the growing Catholic community. The cathedral, designed by architect Arvinda Chatterjee, features Greek-style pillars, stained glass, and a hexagonal dome. It can accommodate up to 2,000 people.
Leadership
- Bishops of Raiganj (Latin Rite)
- Bishop Fuljence Aloysius Tigga, (2016-Present)
- Bishop Alphonsus F. D'Souza, S.J. (January 26, 1987 – April 30, 2016)
- Bishop Leo Tigga, S.J. (June 8, 1978 – January 29, 1986)
Canonical status and jurisdiction
Roman Catholic Diocese of Raiganj is a diocese of the catholic church of the Catholic Church.[1]
- Religious territory: Ecclesiastical Province of Calcutta