Apostolic Nunciature, India & Nepal

Dioceses of India

Total: 1

Sivagangai

Diocese of Sivagangai

Quick Links: History

Rite: Latin

Region : Tamil Nadu

Patron: St. John de Britto

Founded: 3 July 1987

Province: Madurai

Status: Diocese

Total area: 8,353.2 Sq Kms

Total Population : 2,502,340

Catholics Total: 1, 87,304

Diocesan Priests: 153

Religious Priests: 54

Religious Sisters: 408

Minor Seminarians: 03

Major Seminarians: 28

Ecclesiastical Institutions

Parishes & Substations	: 76	Retreat Centres	: 02
Major Seminaries	: 0	Diocesan Minor Seminaries	: 0
Congregation Minor Seminaries	: 0	Religious Formation Houses	: 03
Men Religious Houses	: 29	Women Religious Houses	: 89

Hospitals	: 04	Dispensaries / Clinics / Health Centres	: 09
Orphanages	: 33	Homes for Aged & Destitute	: 04
Schools for Physically Challenged	: 04	Homes for Physically Challenged	: 01
Crèches	: 14	Boarding Houses	: 09
Counselling Centres	: 01	De-addiction Centre	: 02
Social Centres	: 01	HIV / AIDS Centre	: 01

Professional Colleges	: 0	Degree Colleges	: 04
Parallel Colleges	: 03	Vocational / Technical Training Centres	: 03
Higher Secondary / Junior Colleges	: 19	High Schools	: 18
Upper Primary Schools	: 35	Lower Primary Schools	:75
Nurseries / Pre-Primary Schools	:0	Presses & Media Centres	: 0

History

Pope John Paul II by the Bull dated July 3, 1987 decreed the erection of the Diocese of Sivagangai. The new Diocese of Sivagangai was bifurcated from the Madurai Archdiocese. Bp S. Edward Francis was the First Bishop of the New Diocese.

The territory of the Diocese of Sivagangai comprises the two civil districts of Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai. It has fifty-seven Parishes.

The foundation for the marvellous growth of the new Diocese of Sivagangai would be the labours and martyrdom of our patron saint, St. John de Britto, who was put to death at Oriyur on February 4,1693.