Ecclesiastical Details

Diocese of Bhadravati
Heirarchy of the Diocese
Rite:
 Syro-Malabar
Population:
 27 94 392
 
Status:
 Diocese
Catholics:
6000
 
Founded:
 21-Aug-07
Diocesan Priests:
 31
  Total area:
15 666 Sq. Km
Religious Priests:
 
Province:
Tellicherry
Religious Sisters:
 108
 
Region:
Karnataka
Seminarians:
 6
  Patron:
St. Joseph & St. Alphonsa
  Languages: Kannada Tulu Konkani Malayalam Coorgi English.
  Civil States: Chickmagalur
Contact Diocese Office :
 Bishop's House St. Joseph's Church Sagar Road Shimoga 577 204 - KARNATAKA
Telephone 1:
 081882-256549 / 8182256549
Fax:
8182256549
 
E-Mail Office:
Website:
 
Most Rev. Joseph Arumachadath, Bishops of Bhadravati
Name:
 Most Rev. Joseph Arumachadath
Designation:
 Bishops   Canonical Possession: 2007-
Telephone (P):
E-mail (P):
 
Other Present & Retired Ordinaries of the Diocese of Bhadravati
 
Pilgrim Centres in theDiocese of Bhadravati
 
Ecclesiastical Institutions
  
Social / Charitable Institutions / Care Centres
Educational Institutions
Parishes:
34
  
Hospitals:
   
Degree Colleges:
Major Seminaries:
 
Orphanages:
3
    
Technical Training Centres:
Minor Seminaries:
 
Special Schools:
   
High Schools:
3
Monastries:
10
  
Crèches:
   
Lower Primary Schools:
Convents:
26
  
Counselling Centres:
   
Presses & Media Centres:
1
Formation Houses:
 
Social Centres:
   
Professional Colleges:
Retreat Centres:
 
Dispensaries / Clinics:
1
    
Parallel Colleges:
 
Physically Challenged:
   
Higher Secondary :
3
       
Boarding Houses:
   
Upper Primary Schools:
       
HIV / AIDS Centres:
   
Nurseries/Pre-Primary :
       
De-addiction Centres:
       
          Aged & Destitute: 1        
     
       
History of the Diocese of Bhadravati
  

Catholic Diocese of Bhadravathi in Karnataka India was erected on 21st August 2007 by the Synodal decision of the Syro-Malabar Church with the approval of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI bifurcating the Diocese of Mananthavady Kerala. The territory of the Diocese of Bhadravathi comprises the civil district of Shimoga in Karnataka State. A major part of Shimoga lies in the Malnad (hill land) region of the Western Ghats a region known for its green forests plentiful rainfall beautiful waterfalls and source of many rivers that flow in Karnataka.

The history of the new diocese should be traced back to the migration of a group of Syro-Malabar Catholics from Kerala to Karnataka immediately after the World War II in search of land and they found Shimoga and the surrounding districts very conducive to their agricultural practices. They slowly tried to settle down as small groups in different parts of Shimoga. These migrant families were under the pastoral care of the Diocese of Mananthavady in Kerala. Due to the geographical distance from the diocesan centre and the cultural and linguistic differences it was almost impossible for the diocesan authorities to take care of the pastoral needs of the migrants. Hence Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy then bishop of Mananthavady entrusted the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament to take care of the spiritual and pastoral needs of these people. The dedicated work of the MCBS Fathers for the past 30 years paved the way to the creation of the new Diocese of Bhadravathi.

The first bishop of the diocese Mar Joseph Arumachadath was consecrated and the new diocese was inaugurated on 25th October 2007.
 
Prelates of the Diocese of Bhadravati