https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Diocese_of_RaiganjDiocese of Raiganj - Revision history2026-08-17T18:31:50ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diocese_of_Raiganj&diff=497287&oldid=prevTimXlb08387347: starting basic details w/ infobox - done2025-08-24T08:29:00Z<p>starting basic details w/ infobox - done</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Roman Catholic diocese in West Bengal, India}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}<br />
{{Infobox diocese<br />
|jurisdiction = Diocese <br />
|name = Raiganj<br />
|image = Diocese of Raiganj.jpg<br />
|country = [[India]]<br />
|metropolitan = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta|Calcutta]] <br />
|province = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta|Calcutta]]<br />
|cathedral = [[St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral, Raiganj|St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral]], Chotparua<br />
|cocathedral = <br />
|patron = [[Saint Joseph]] <br />
|area_km2 = 8,920 <br />
|population = 7,814,142<br />
|population_as_of = 2010 <br />
|catholics = 95,663<br />
|catholics_percent= 1.2 <br />
|pope = [[Pope Leo XIV]]<br />
|bishop = {{ubl|Bishop Fuljence Aloysius Tigga (2016-Present)|Bishop Alphonsus F. D'Souza, S.J. (1987–2016)|Bishop Leo Tigga, S.J. (1978–1986)}}<br />
|metro_archbishop = The Most Rev. [[Thomas D'Souza]]<br />
|coadjutor = <br />
|auxiliary_bishops= <br />
|denomination=|parishes={{ubl|• Debijhora|• Chopra|• Islampur|• Majlispur|• Nichamari| • Nichitpur|• Altapur|• Bolaigaon|• Sinaipur|• Mustafanagar|• Garamtoli|• Jordighi|• Rajibpur|• Bastonkor|• Mahinagar|• Badamail|• Mehendipara|• Patiram|• Bishrail|• Kumarganj|• Pransnagar|• Jitarpur|• Banjhapara|• Dikul|• Bangar|• Kathnidanga|• Agunpur|• Alampur|• Rahutara|• Rathbari}}}}<br />
<br />
The Roman Catholic '''Diocese of Raiganj''' is located in Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India. Established on June 8, 1978, by [[Pope Paul VI]] through the Apostolic Bull Ut Petrus et Pastor, it was formed by detaching territories from the '''Diocese of Dumka,''' specifically the districts of West Dinajpur and Malda. Subsequently, West Dinajpur was divided into North and South Dinajpur districts.<br />
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==History==<br />
* June 8, 1978: Established as the Diocese of Raiganj from the [[Diocese of Dumka]]<br />
* '''The St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral,''' located in Chotparua village near Raiganj, serves as the diocesan cathedral. The current structure was inaugurated on '''November 17, 2010,''' replacing the previous tin-roofed church that had become inadequate for the growing Catholic community. The cathedral, designed by architect Arvinda Chatterjee, features Greek-style pillars, stained glass, and a hexagonal dome. It can accommodate up to 2,000 people.<br />
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==Leadership==<br />
* [[Bishop]]s of Raiganj ([[Latin Church|Latin Rite]])<br />
** Bishop '''Fuljence Aloysius Tigga''', (2016-Present)<br />
** Bishop [[Alphonsus F. D'Souza]], S.J. (January 26, 1987 – April 30, 2016)<br />
** Bishop [[Leo Tigga]], S.J. (June 8, 1978 – January 29, 1986)<br />
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==References==<br />
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{{Reflist|30em}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/raig0.htm GCatholic.org] [[Wikipedia:SPS|{{sup|[''self-published'']}}]]<br />
* [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/drgnj.html Catholic Hierarchy] [[Wikipedia:SPS|{{sup|[''self-published'']}}]]<br />
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[[Category:Roman Catholic dioceses in India]]<br />
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1978]]<br />
[[Category:Roman Catholic dioceses and prelatures established in the 20th century]]<br />
[[Category:Christianity in West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:1978 establishments in West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:Uttar Dinajpur district]]<br />
[[Category:Raiganj]]<br />
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