Ecclesiastical Details - Catholics India

Diocese of Balasore

Rite:

Latin

Population:

7142703

Status:

Diocese

Catholics:

22832

Founded:

Diocesan Priests:

Total area:

28118 Sq. Kms.

Religious Priests:

Province:

Cuttack-Bhubaneswar

Religious Sisters:

137

Region:

Orissa

Seminarians:

Patron:

Christ the King

Languages:

Oriya Santali Ho Oraon Mundari Hindi Bengali

Civil States:

East : Bay of Bengal North : Diocese of Jamshedpur Rourkela & Sambalpur South : Archdioces of Cuttack- Bhubaneswar

Contact Diocese Office :

Bishop's House Balasore - 756 001 ORISSA

Telephone 1:

06782-26 20 56 /

Fax:

26 93 93

E-Mail Office:

blsbishop@gmail.com

Website:

balasorediocese.org

Most Rev. Varghese Thottamkara, Bishops of Balasore

Name:

Most Rev. Varghese Thottamkara

Designation:

Bishops

Canonical Possession:

2023-

Telephone (P):

E-mail (P):

Other Present & Retired Ordinaries of the Diocese of Balasore

Bishops Name	Designation	Period
	Retired	1989-2013

Pilgrim Centres in theDiocese of Balasore

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 Balasore

The four districts of Orissa i.e Balasore Bhadrak Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar were under the Archdiocese of Calcutta till 1968. Christianity began in Balasore probably during the years 1859 -1865 when church activities were started by Fr Chrysanthus Depart in Midnapur - Balasore area. He settled down at Balasore in 1865. From 1865 till 1936 the Jesuit Fathers residing at Balasore and Krishnachandrapur looked after the Church in Balasore. From 1936 onwards till 1938 there were no residential priests in Balasore and the two church work stations were looked after by the Jesuits of Balasore. Due to an earthquake the church was damaged and later completely dismantled. The Fathers left for Malta and gradually many Christians left Balasore. In 1948 Fathers Vizjak a Jesuit Priest resided at Krishnachandrapur and Balasore alternatively and cared for the needs of the little community which stayed back. From 1964 till 1968 Diocesan Priests from the Diocese of Cuttack rendered their services in Balasore Krishnachandrapur and in Barbil at the request of the Archbishop of Calcutta.

On June 8 1968 the Holy See separated the above mentioned three districts from the Archdiocese of Calcutta and formed them into one unit named "Prefecture of Balasore" annexing it to the ecclesiastical Province of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar. The new Prefecture is entrusted to "Congregation of the Mission". (Vincentians).

On June 14 1968 Bp Jacob Vadakeveetil cm of the Congregation of the Mission was appointed the first Apostolic Administrator and took charge on November 18 1968. On January 13 1990 the Prefecture Apostolic was raised to the status of a diocese and Bp Thomas Thiruthalil cm was appointed its First Bishop.

Prelates of the Diocese of Balasore

Bishops Name	Prelate's Status	Period	Bishops Name	Prelate's Status	Period
	Bishops	2013-2019