Roman Catholic Diocese of Varanasi
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Varanasi is a diocese
located in the city of Varanasi
in the Ecclesiastical province
of Agra in India.
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
located in the city of Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
in the Ecclesiastical province
Ecclesiastical Province
An ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion...
of Agra in India.
History
- July 11, 1946: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Gorakhpur from the Diocese of Allahabad
- September 17, 1958: Renamed as Apostolic Prefecture of Benares-Gorakhpur
- June 5, 1970: Promoted as Diocese of Banaras
- May 14, 1971: Renamed as Diocese of Varanasi
Leadership
- BishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s of Varanasi (Latin Rite)- Bishop Raphy Manjaly (February 24, 2007 – present)
- Bishop Patrick Paul D’Souza (May 14, 1971 – February 24, 2007)
- Bishops of Banaras (Latin Rite)
- Bishop Patrick Paul D’Souza (June 5, 1970 – May 14, 1971)
- Prefects Apostolic of Benares-Gorakhpur (Roman Rite)
- Fr. Joseph Emil Malenfant, O.F.M. Cap. (June 6, 1947 – 1970)