Roman Catholic Diocese of Sivagangai
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sivagangai is located at the southeast corner of Bay of Bengal, 45 km east of Madurai city, in Tamil Nadu, India.
Diocese of Sivagangai Dioecesis Sivagangaiensis சிவகங்கை மறைமாவட்டம் | |
|---|---|
| Bishopric | |
Alangara Annai Cathedral, Sivagangai | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Territory | Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai |
| Metropolitan | Archdiocese of Madurai |
| Coordinates | 9°50′48″N 78°28′45″E / 9.8468°N 78.4792°E |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 8,353 km2 (3,225 sq mi)[1] |
| Population - Total - Catholics | (as of 2021) 3,123,623 182,150 (5.8%) |
| Parishes | 82 |
| Schools | 160 |
| Information | |
| Formation | 3 July 1987 |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Cathedral | Alangara Annai Cathedral |
| Co-cathedral | Basilica of St. John de Britto |
| Saint | John de Brito |
| Secular priests | 177 |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Bishop | The Most Reverend Lourdu Anandam |
| Metropolitan Archbishop | Anthony Pappusamy |
| Bishops emeritus |
|
History edit
It was established on July 25, 1987, bifurcated from the Archdiocese of Madurai. The Most Rev. S. Edward Francis was the First Bishop of the new Diocese and Bp. Jebamalai Susaimanickam succeeded him as the second bishop. On September 21st, 2023, The Most Rev. Dr. Lourdu Anandam was announced as the third bishop of the diocese, and his episcopal consecration took place on November 26th, 2023.
The territory of the diocese includes two civil districts Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai. As of 2021[update], the total population of the area is 2,502,340 of which the Catholic population is 182,150 (5.8%) and still growing. 20 years after the diocese has 62 parish centers, 734 mission stations about 107 diocesan clergy, 19 religious order priests and over 350 religious men and women serving at various religious and educational institutions in the diocesan region.
Saints and causes for canonisation edit
- St. John de Britto (1693), the patron saint of the diocese, entered the region as a Jesuit missionary from Europe and became the bedrock of faith for thousands of people. He was beheaded at Oriyur on Feb 4, 1693 by a regional king for preaching about Jesus Christ and establishing churches.[2]
- Servant of God Fr. Louis Marie Leveil, SJ[3]
- Servant of God Fr. Antonio Pietro Criminali[4][5]
Bishops edit
Lourdu Anandam | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Sivagangai | |
| The Most Rev. Dr. Lourdu Anandam, Bishop of Sivagangai | |
| Metropolis | Archdiocese of Madurai |
| Diocese | Diocese of Sivagangai |
| Installed | September 21, 2023 |
| Predecessor | Jebalamai Susaimanickam |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | April 6, 1986 |
| Consecration | September 21, 2023 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 15, 1958 |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Alma mater | University of Freiburg |
First bishop was Edward Francis who served from 3 Jul 1987 until his retirement on 1 Sep 2005. He was succeeded by Rev Dr Jebamalai Susaimanickam, who served from 1 Sep 2005 until 25 Sep 2020 when he retired. The Most Rev. Dr. Lourdu Anandam is the third and current Bishop, having begun is term in 2023.
References edit
- ^ "Diocese of Sivagangai, India". GCatholic. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Oriyur - John de britto shrine - Arulanandar Church Oriyur". Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- ^ "Saints & Blessed – CCBI". Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ Papaluca, SJ, Michele (January 2017). «Pacificar y poner en concordia». Un modello di riconciliazione nella primitiva Compagnia di Gesù (1539-1575) (PDF) (Licenciatura en Teología Espiritual thesis).
- ^ "Other Pre-19th Cent. Causes". newsaints.faithweb.com. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
External links edit
- http://www.tamilchristianweb.com
- http://www.unnaithedi.com 9 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- http://www.loveandcaremission.org/
- http://www.manavai.com