Dioceses of India
Total: 1
Ajmer

Diocese of Ajmer

Quick Links:      History
Rite: Latin
Region : Agra
Patron: Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Founded: 22 May 1913
Province: Agra
Status: Diocese
Total area: 286,742 sq.kms.
Total Population : 33,108,165
Catholics Total: 17,108
Diocesan Priests: 45
Religious Priests: 18
Religious Sisters: 478
Minor Seminarians: 0
Major Seminarians: 0

Diocese of Ajmer at a Glance

Ecclesiastical Institutions

Parishes & Substations : 38Retreat Centres: 02
Major Seminaries : 0Diocesan Minor Seminaries: 0
Congregation Minor Seminaries: 0Religious Formation Houses : 04
Men Religious Houses: 07Women Religious Houses: 14

Charitable Institutions

Hospitals : 19Dispensaries / Clinics / Health Centres: 09
Orphanages : 02Homes for Aged & Destitute : 04
Schools for Physically Challenged: 0Homes for Physically Challenged : 0
Crèches: 0Boarding Houses : 0
Counselling Centres : 0De-addiction Centre: 0
Social Centres : 06HIV / AIDS Centre: 0

Educational Institutions

Professional Colleges : 09Degree Colleges: 01
Parallel Colleges : 20Vocational / Technical Training Centres : 08
Higher Secondary / Junior Colleges : 26High Schools : 11
Upper Primary Schools: 06Lower Primary Schools:05
Nurseries / Pre-Primary Schools :0Presses & Media Centres : 0

History

The diocese of Ajmer comprises of twelve districts namely Ajmer, Jodhpur, Kota, Barmer, Bundi, Jalore, Jhalwar, Pali, Sirohi, Tonk, Jaisalmer and Baran in the State of Rajasthan.


In July 1890 the Holy See detached a very large portion of the Archdiocese of Agra to make a new unit, the Rajasthan Mission, entrusting it to the Capuchin Fathers of the Paris Province who were to work under the supervision of the Archbishop.

In March 1892, the new mission became the Prefecture Apostolic of Rajputana, and in 1913, the then Prefect Rt. Rev. Fortunatus Henry Caumont, ofm. cap. was appointed the first Bishop of Ajmer. On March 11, 1935 parts of the Dioceses which were in the present state of Madhya Pradesh, were detached to become part of the newly erected Prefecture Apostolic of Indore.

The Diocese was handed over to the Diocesan clergy on May 9, 1949. By the decree of the Holy See dated June 21, 1951. Bandikui with its sub-station Alwar was transferred for geographical and administrative reasons from Agra Archdiocese to Ajmer Diocese. However the Agra Archdiocese retained the jurisdiction over the districts of Bharatpur and Dholpur.

By another decree of the Holy See dated May 13, 1955 the name of the diocese was changed to Ajmer-Jaipur. By decree of the Sacred Congregation for Evangelisation of People (Prot.no.1332/81 dated March 11th 1981) the civil district of Mandasaur was transferred from the jurisdiction of the diocese of Ajmer-Jaipur to that of the Diocese of Indore.

On December 29, 1984 the Holy Father Pope John Paul II, with a decree, divided the Diocese of Ajmer-Jaipur, forming a new diocese named the Catholic Diocese of Udaipur consisting of the districts of Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara and Thandla tehsil. The Holy Father through the same decree appointed Rt. Rev. Joseph Pathalil as it's first Bishop.

Through a mutual agreement between the diocesan bishop and the Superior General of the Little Flower Congregation, Cochin dated April 25, 1986 the districts of Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu, Karoli and Sikar were entrusted to the Little Flower Congregation to carry out the work of Evangelisation, pastoral ministry and development on a permanent basis.

On July 20, 2005, the Holy Father Benedict XVI, with a decree bifurcated the Diocese of Ajmer-Jaipur forming a new Diocese - The Catholic Diocese of Jaipur consisting of the District of Jaipur, Alwar, Bikaner, Churu, Dausa, Sikar and Sri Ganganagar and appointed Most Rev. Oswald Lewis as the bishop of the New Diocese, while the name of the mother Diocese was changed to the Diocese of Ajmer.



Former Bishops

Right Rev. PIUS THOMAS D’SOUZA
Bishop Emeritus of Ajmer
Personal Details
Born:4-May-1954
Priestly Ordination:28-Mar-1982
Episcopal Ordination:19-Jan-2013
Period:--

Tel(P): 0145-2460337, (0)9530208535, (0)8209597448
Email(P): piusbly@yahoo.com
Contact Details
Bishop’s House, KaiserganjAjmer - 305 001 (Rajasthan)
Tel(O): 0145-24 60 074
Fax : 24 60 074
Email : bishop@datainfosys.net
Right Rev. Ignatius Menezes
Bishop Emeritus of Ajmer
Personal Details
Born:3-Jan-1936
Priestly Ordination:21-Dec-1963
Episcopal Ordination:17-Feb-1979
Period:17.02.79-

Tel(P): 09414004337,07300324337
Email(P): bishopignatiusajmer@gmail.com
Contact Details
Vianny Home, St. Theresa's Seminary, 33/36, Jaipur Road, Ajmer-305001 (Rajasthan)
Tel(O): 0145-24 60 074
Fax : 24 60 074
Email : bishop@datainfosys.net
NameDesignationPeriod
Most Rev. Guido Le Floch, OFM Cap Bishop1939-1946
Most Rev. Fortunatus Henri Caumont, OFM Bishop1913-1930
Most Rev. Mathurin-Pie Le Ruyet, OFM Cap Bishop1931-1938
Most Rev. Leo D'Mello Bishop1949-1979