Ecclesiastical Details - Catholics India

Diocese of Ambikapur

Rite:

Latin

Population:

?2580000

Status:

Diocese

Catholics:

91729

Founded:

10-Nov-77

Diocesan Priests:

102

Total area:

22337 sq. kms

Religious Priests:

Province:

Raipur

Religious Sisters:

390

Region:

Chhattisgarh

Seminarians:

Patron:

Immaculate Mother of God

Languages:

Hindi English Surgujia

Civil States:

Chhattisgarh: Surguja Surajpur Balrampur and Korea

Contact Diocese Office :

Bishop's House P.O.Phunduldihari Surguja Dt. Ambikapur 97 110 CHHATTISGARH

Telephone 1:

07774-23 00 63 / 23 09 73 23 06 12

Fax:

23 09 73 23 06 12

E-Mail Office:

bp_ambika@yahoo.co.in

Website:

ambikapurcatholicdiocese.org

Most Rev. Patras Minj SJ, Bishops of Ambikapur

Name:

Most Rev. Patras Minj SJ

Designation:

Bishops

Canonical Possession:

1996-

Telephone (P):

E-mail (P):

Other Present & Retired Ordinaries of the Diocese of Ambikapur

Pilgrim Centres in theDiocese of Ambikapur

Ecclesiastical Institutions

Social / Charitable Institutions / Care Centres

Educational Institutions

Parishes:

Hospitals:

Degree Colleges:

Major Seminaries:

Orphanages:

Technical Training Centres:

Minor Seminaries:

Special Schools:

High Schools:

Monastries:

Crèches:

Lower Primary Schools:

Convents:

Counselling Centres:

Presses & Media Centres:

Formation Houses:

Social Centres:

Professional Colleges:

Retreat Centres:

Dispensaries / Clinics:

Parallel Colleges:

Physically Challenged:

Higher Secondary :

Boarding Houses:

Upper Primary Schools:

HIV / AIDS Centres:

Nurseries/Pre-Primary :

De-addiction Centres:

Aged & Destitute:

History of the Diocese of Ambikapur

Already in the time of the great pioneer Fr Constant Lievens sj (approx. 1890) delegates from Surguja went 200 kms on foot to Ranchi and begged to be instructed catechized and begged to get catechists and to be visited by a Priest regularly. But the feudal rulers persecuted those who had been instructed and neither catechists nor a Priest could be sent.

In the beginning of 1948 the feudal states merged into India and the few Catholics who had settled in Surguja were joined by many who came from Jashpur and Barway in search of land jobs and livelihood. Missionaries came to visit these settlers. From Kanjia in Bihar Jodhpur was started in 1947. Four other mission stations: Ambika Banea Ratasili and Shantipara (Basen) were established in 1952. As the Independence dawned Christianity saw the light brighter and brighter.

The Diocese of Ambikapur was erected on December 14 1977 by dismemberment form Raigarh-Ambikapur diocese. The diocese is co-extensive with the present civil districts of Surguja and Korea in the northern part of the State of Chhattisgarh.

Prelates of the Diocese of Ambikapur

Bishops Name	Prelate's Status	Period	Bishops Name	Prelate's Status	Period
		1986 - 1994		Bishop	1977 - 1985