The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bhagalpur () is a diocese located in the city of Bhagalpur in the ecclesiastical province of Patna in India.
History Christian presence from 1779 has been documented. The early Christians were mainly indigo planters, railwaymen and their dependents. They did have a few handful of natives.
During the Capuchin period (1779–1919), Bhagalpur was at first the part of Prefecture of Tibet-Hindustan erected by the Sacred Congregation of the Evangelisation of the Peoples in 1703. It became a resident station in 1783.
The Jesuit period (1919–1983): The Patna Jesuits started working here in 1921. Their missionary efforts were directed mainly among the Santhals.
On 3 August 1956, Bhagalpur was detached from the Patna Diocese and the prefecture apostolic was established. Urban McGarry tor was appointed the prefect apostolic.
It was promoted as Diocese of Bhagalpur on 11 January 1965. Urban Eugene McGarry tor was appointed as its first bishop. The diocese comprised the districts of Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui and the civil blocks of lakshmipur, Kharagpur and Tarapur of Mnger district of Bihar, Godda, Giridih, Deoghar and Sarawan of Deoghar district and Mandro block of Sahebgunj district of Jharkhand.
Jharkhand controversies In July 2018, Sister Konsalia Balsa and charity worker Anima Indwar, who both served in the local Missionaries of Charity chapter, were arrested for selling a baby in Jharkhand they put up for adoption through Missionaries of Charity for $1750. Catholic property in Jharkhand falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Bhagalpur.
On September 10, 2019, Crux reported that Father Benoy John and catechist Munna Hansda were part of an effort to forcibly convert locals in Jharkhand and were arrested on charges of forced conversion on September 6, 2019. Father Arun Vincent was also suspected of working with John and Hansda, but was not formally arrested and later released. Both John and Hansda were also revealed to have illegally occupied land to
Leadership Bishops of Bhagalpur (Latin Rite) Bishop Kurian (Ciriaco) Valiakandathil (11 January 2007 – present) Bishop Thomas Kozhimala (14 June 1996 – 1 June 2005) Bishop George Victor Saupin, S.J. (30 November 1987 – 2 August 1993) Bishop Urban Eugen McGarry, T.O.R. (11 January 1965 – 30 November 1987) Prefects Apostolic of Bhagalpur (Latin Rite) Fr. Urban Eugen McGarry, T.O.R. (later bishop) (1956 – 11 January 1965)
Seminary This seminary at Bhagalpur, Sahibgunj is the training center for the first two years of priesthood. A hostel is attached to the seminary where students live. To the right is the hostel and to the left is the seminary.
Hospitals There are 42 hospitals run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur. Punaruthanam Ashram at Sahebgunj is working for the Psychiatric patients of Bhagalpur
Schools There are more than 70 schools run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur. The most well known are St Joseph's School, Bhagalpur - Bhagalpur, Mount Assisi School - Bhagalpur, Mount Carmel School - Bhagalpur, St. Joseph's School - Kahalgaon, St. Teresa School - Bhagalpur, C.M.S. School - Bhagalpur, St. Paul's School Bhagalpur.
The list of schools is given here:
School Location Principal Carmel School Giridih M. Basil Mount Carmel School (Bhagalpur) Bhagalpur Carmine Marie Mount Assisi School Bhagalpur Fr. Sivi Joseph Mount Assisi School, Ranitalab Bhagalpur Fr. Kurien Thrikkodanmalil Saint Francis School Deoghar Deoghar John Kochuchira St. Thomas School, Godda Godda Valson St. Joseph's School, Jhajha Jamui Mathew A.C. St. Joseph's School, Kabirpur Bhagalpur Varghese Panangatt St. Joseph's School, NTPC Bhagalpur Vincent Saldanha St. Joseph's School, Pakartalla, Kahalgaon Bhagalpur Augustine Pereira St. Francis Junior School, Jasidih Deoghar Sr. Caroline St. Theresa's School Bhagalpur Sr. Scholastica St. Theresa's School, Aliganj Bhagalpur Sr. Rosemeir St. Joseph's School, Jagathpur Banka Joseph Thanniparampil
Hostels List of Boys hostels run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur Hostel LocationSacred Heart Hostel, Babumahal BankaSavio Hostel, Baccha SahebganjSt. Joseph's Hostel, Baromasia Godda.St. Paul's Hostel, Bhalua JamuiSt. Patrick's Hostel, Basmata Banka.St. Joseph's Hostel, Belatanr GiridihSacred Heart Hostel, Chakai JamuiPrabhat Tara Hostel, Chandanahat GoddaSt. Theresa's Hostel, Charkapathar Banka.St. Joseph's Hostel, Chirkee Giridih.St. Joseph's Hostel, Dakaita Godda.St. Joseph's Hostel, Chirkee Giridih.Boys Hostel, Dambruhat GoddaSt. Mary's Hostel, Khorimahua GiridihSt. Thomas's Hostel, Dulabitha GiridihSt. Jude's Hostel, Dumaria Banka.Vianney Hostel, Giridih. GiridihCannel English Medium School Hostel Giridih.Carmel Hindi Medium School Hostel GiridihSt. Mary's Hostel, Agiamur GoddaKrist Raja Hostel GoddaSt. Stanislaus Hostel, Gokhla BhagalpurPrabhat Tara Hostel, Harimohra BankaJhajha-Arunoday Hostel, Jhajha Jamui.St. Xavier's Hostel, Kharagpur Munger.St. Joseph's Hostel, Leela SahebganjSt. John Britto H.S.Hostel, Maheshmunda GiridihSt. John Britto M.S.Hostel, Maheshmunda GiridihInfant Jesus Hostel, Mangra Godda.Mission Hostel, Manikbathan GoddaSt. Daniel's Hostel, Mariampahari JamuiSt. Francis H. S. Hostel, Poreyahat GoddaSt. Francis M. S. Hostel, Poreyahat GoddaSt. Anthony's Hostel, Phulbaria GoddaPushpa Hostel, Sokho JamuiSt. Thomas Hostel, Sundermur GoddaSt. Paul's Hostel, Thillaiya GiridihSt. Anthony's Hostel, Tilkimaron GiridihLittle Flower Hostel, Kusumba Godda.St. Mary's Hostel, Tisri Giridih.
List of Girls hostels run by the Diocese of Bhagalpur Hostel LocationSt. Mary's Hostel, Agiamur GoddaSavio Hostel, Baccha Sahebganj.St. Joseph's Hostel, Baromasia Godda.St. Paul's Hostel, Bhalua JamuiSt. Patrick's Hostel, Bhalua Jamui.St. Patricks's Hostel, Basmata Banka.Holy Cross Hostel, Belatanr Giridih.Sacred Heart Hostel, Chakai JamuiHoly Cross Hostel, Chandnahat Godda.Holy Family Hostel, Charkapathar BankaSt. Joseph's Hostel, Chirky Dt.GiridihSt. Joseph's Hostel, Dakaita GoddaSt. Joseph's Hostel, Dambruhat Godda.Maria Hostel, Khorimahua GiridihHoly Cross Hostel, Dulabitha Giridih.St. Jude's Hostel, Dumaria BankaSt. Michael's H. S. Hostel, Gokhla BhagalpurNirmala H. S. Hostel, Harimohra BankaSt. Francis Hostel, Kathibari GoddaXavier Hostel, Kharagpur Munger.St. Joseph's Hostel, Leela Sahebganj.Krist Raja Hostel, Godda. GoddaSt. Michael's M. S. Hostel, Gokhla Bhagalpur.Holy Family Hostel, Mangra GoddaHoly Family Hostel, Mariampahari JamuiHoly Family Hostel, Poreyahat Godda.St. Anthony's Hostel, Phulbaria GoddaPushpa Hostel, Sokho Jamui.St. Thomas's Hostel, Sundermur Godda.St. Paul's Hostel, Thillaiya Giridih.St. Mary's Hostel, Tisri GiridihLittle Flower Hostel, Kusumba Godda
References