II.  THE DIOCESE OF BELTHANGADY

History

The Diocese of  Belthangady was erected on 24th April 1999 by the Papal Bull "CUM AMPLA" of  His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II as a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry. This diocese has been established for the Syro-Malabar Catholics of the three civil districts of Karnataka State, viz., Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Till then this region was under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry. As Belthangady is in Karnataka State with a different language and culture, it was difficult to cater the spiritual needs of the faithful directly from Tellicherry. Hence it was declared a Mission Province of the Archdiocese of Tellicherry and an Episcopal Vicar was appointed on 10th November 1979. This Mission grew up and finally the Diocese of  Belthangady was established on 24th April 1999 and it was inaugurated on 4th August 1999.

Area : 12,543 Sq.Kms

Catholic Population : 30000

Catholic Families : 4750

Languages : Kannada, Tulu, Konkani,    Malayalam, English, Coorgie

Forane Churches : 8

Parishes : 55

Mass Centres : 11

Priests Incardinated : 57

Religious Priests  :     27

Women Religious : 198