Roman Catholic Diocese of Belgaum explained

Jurisdiction:Diocese
Belgaum
Latin:Dioecesis Belgaumensis
Local:ಬೆಳಗಾವಿ ಧರ್ಮಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ
Country: India
Rite:Latin Rite
Cathedral:Cathedral of Our Lady of the Family Rosary of Fatima in Belgaum
Parishes:67
Area Km2:33,747
Population:10,736,000
Population As Of:2012
Catholics:30,512
Catholics Percent:0.3
Bishop:Derek Fernandes
Metro Archbishop:Peter Machado
Website:Website of the Diocese

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belgaum (Latin: Belgaumen(sis)) is a diocese located in the city of Belgaum in the ecclesiastical province of Bangalore in India.

History

The Belgaum Diocese was erected on 19 September 1953 by the papal bull Summa illa Sollicitudo of Pope Pius XII. Two civil districts of Belgaum and North Kanara were separated from the Archdiocese of Goa and two other civil districts of Dharwad and Bijapur were taken from the Diocese of Pune in forming the Diocese of Belgaum.

The most Rev. Dr. Michael Rodrigues was appointed the first bishop. By the papal bull Christi Missium of Paul VI, the North Kanara District was separated from the Belgaum Diocese to form the Karwar Diocese on 24 January 1976.

It now consists of the civil districts of Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri in Karnataka State and the Chandgad taluka in Kolhapur District of Maharashtra State.

The mother parish of the diocese is known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Family Rosary of Fatima, or Fatima Cathedral for short. It is located in the cantonment area of Belgaum and is a prominent landmark. The rector of the parish is currently Rev. Fr. Victor.

Leadership

Bishops of Belgaum (Latin Rite)

References

15.854°N 74.5025°W