Ecclesiastical Details - Catholics India

Diocese of Kumbakonam

Rite:

Latin

Population:

5,044,798

Status:

Diocese

Catholics:

214115

Founded:

1 September 1899

Diocesan Priests:

135

Total area:

5924.26 Sq.km

Religious Priests:

Province:

Pondicherry-Cuddalore

Religious Sisters:

453

Region:

Tamil Nadu

Seminarians:

Patron:

Our Lady of Assumption

Languages:

Tamil

Civil States:

Tiruchirapalli Thanjavur Perambalur Thiruvarur & South Arcot

Contact Diocese Office :

Bishop's House Post Box No. 3 Kumbakonam - 612 001 Thanjavur Dt. TAMIL NADU

Telephone 1:

0435-24 32 232 / 0435-24 23 679

Fax:

24 23 679

E-Mail Office:

kumbakonamdiocese@gmail.com

Website:

dioceseofkumbakonam.org

Most Rev. Antonysamy Francis, Bishops of Kumbakonam

Name:

Most Rev. Antonysamy Francis

Designation:

Bishops

Canonical Possession:

2008-

Telephone (P):

E-mail (P):

Other Present & Retired Ordinaries of the Diocese of Kumbakonam

Pilgrim Centres in theDiocese of Kumbakonam

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 Kumbakonam

The diocese of Kumbakonam was bifurcated from the archdiocese of Pondicherry and was erected on 1st of September 1899 by the apostolic letter of Pope Leo XIII. It is prestigious to note that the first two bishops were the M.E.P. missionaries. Rt.Rev.Msgr.Hugo M.BOTTERO led the diocese from 1899 to 1913 and Rt.Rev.Msgr.Marie Augustine CHAPUIS from 1913 to 1930. After a year of able guidance by Msgr. M.A. Xavier as its Apostolic Administrator Rt.Rev. Msgr. Peter Francis became the first indigenous bishop in 1931 and was followed by Rt.Rev.Msgr. D. Paul Arulsamy in 1955. In his tenure of 33 years (1955-88) the diocese witnessed the liturgical and theological renewal of the Second Vatican Council. At his resignation in 1988 Msgr. Antony David as its diocesan administrator led the diocese. The fifth bishop Rt.Rev. Msgr. Peter Remigius was ordained bishop on 3rd January 1990. Under his able leadership and vast experience both at the national and international level he has widened up its horizon towards the integral development of people.

The diocese is situated in 12 civil taluks from 5 districts of Tiruchirapalli Thanjavur Perambalur Thiruvarur and a small portion of South Arcot; it covers 7823 sq.kms. Among the total population of 5044798 the Catholics form 4.66 % Muslims 4.24 % Hindus 91% and others 0.10 %.

The diocese of Kumbakonam has a catholic population of 198048 in 75 parishes and 525 substations grouped under 6 vicariates. The 124 diocesan priests are committed to the diocese with common aims and united efforts with their bishop and brother-priests. About 30 Religious Priests 17 Religious Brothers and 453 religious Sisters cooperate with the diocesan bishop and priests in the apostolate and exercise their charism in the diocese.

Prelates of the Diocese of Kumbakonam

Prelate's Status	Period	Prelate's Status	Period
Bishop	1990 - 2007	Bishop	1955-1988
Bishop	1931-1955	Bishop	1930-1931
Bishop	1913-1930	Bishop	1899-1913