ASIA/INDIA – NEW DIOCESE DINDIGUL AND NEW BISHOP ANTHONY PAPPUSAMI

Vatican City (Fides) – The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has (30 October 2003) created the diocese of Dindigul (India) with territory taken from the diocese of Tiruchirapalli and the archdiocese of Madurai, making it suffragan of that Church.
The Holy Father has appointed first Bishop of Dindigul, Mgr Anthony Pappusami, until now titular Bishop of Zaba and auxiliary of Madurai.

The new diocese of Dindigul will inclde 5 “Taluks” and remain suffragan of Madurai. Here are the statistics

TIRUCHIRAPALLI
before DINDIGUL TIRUCHIRAPALLI
today
area 18.500 sq km 8.052 sq km 10.448 sq km
population 3.700.000 1.156.194 2.543.806
parishes 82 33 55
Catholics 330.500 148.000 182.500
diocesan priests 139 51 93
Religious priests 182 82 100
Brothers 114 14 104
Sisters 114 14 104

The Bishop will reside in Dindigul, and St Joseph’s Church will act as Cathedral (S.L.) ( Fides Service 10/11/2003; lines 50; words 159)