The first ecclesiastical unit with Kolkata as its headquarters was established in 1834; it was called the Vicariate Apostolic of Bengal. Mgr Patrick Carew was Vicar Apostolic when in 1840 a Spanish Carmelite priest, Fr Carew went to settle in Koikhali, the first mission of the 24 Parganas. (Koikhali is still on the map of the Raghabpur Parish). But in 1847 there was nobody to take over. 

The Belgian Jesuits came in 1859. Under the leadership of Mgr Steins J., Fr Goffinet, sj, went to Koikhali in 1868; there he lived a saintly life. But it was father E. Delplace, sj, who was to be the pioneer who streaked around establishing five mission stations in four years (1873 - 1877). In 1877 Mgr. P. Goethals became Vicar Apostolic. "The country side was practically sacrificed to Chota Nagpur." Three Missions were closed and only two kept: Morapai and Raghabpur. No wonder that the 2800 Catholics we find in the 24-Parganas district in 1888 had only increased to 3700 in 1920.

In 1886 the Vicariate Apostolic became the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Under the guidance of Archbishops P. Goethals and B. Meuleman, sj, the Chota Nagpur Mission developed wonderfully; so much so that in 1927 Ranchi became an independent diocese. Archbishop Penier, sj, was at the helm since 1924 and he was to remain so till his resignation in 1960. More attention could then be given to the Bengal districts. The Yugoslav Jesuit fathers were invited to come to Bengal and to take charge of the 24 Parganas district. That move marked the new start of the Sunderbans' Mission. Unluckily, soon it became impossible for Yugoslavia to send more fathers; Belgian and Indian fathers had to step in. 

The tenure of Archbishop V. Dyer ( 1960-1962) and Archbishop A. D' Souza (1962 -1969) witnessed further divisions of the Archdiocese: Jamshedpur, Darjeeling, Dumka became dioceses. Fr L. T. Picachy, sj, became the Archbishop in 1969 and Cardinal in 1976. The Orissa chunk of the Archdiocese became the diocese of Cuttack- Bhubaneswar and in 1978 the Diocese of Baruipur was born.

Bp SALVADORE LOBO
Born: Apr. 30, 1945
Priestly Ordn: Mar. 19, 1973
Episcopal Ordn: Jan. 29, 1998

Address:
Bishop's House
Baruipur P.O.
Kolkata - 700 144
W. Bengal.

Tel: (033) 24 33 82 99, 24 33 13 43 (O), 24 33 06 78 (P)  
Fax: (033) 24 33 88 05 (O), 24 33 13 42 (P)
Mobile: 09 83 10 37 929          
E-mail: cdb@vsnl.com , lobobp@vsnl.com 

Area: 10,568 Sq. km
Total Population: 80,00,000
Catholics: 54,715
Languages spoken: Bengali. 
Revenue Districts: 24-Parganas (S), Part of Parganas (N) and Part of Kolkata city.

Statistics
Diocesan Clergy: 31
Religious Priests: 18
Religious Brothers: 09
Religious Women: 86
No. of Parishes: 18
Houses of Women Religious: 19
Houses of Men Religious: 05

Formation Houses 
Others: 04

No. of Educational institutions: 16
Technical Institutions: 06
Students: 500
Sr. Secondary Schools (10+2): 01, Students: 400
High Schools (10th std): 04       Students: 2,080
Primary Schools: 11
Students: 4,956
Hospitals: 01, Beds: 25
Dispensaries: 10, Beneficiaries (Annual): 2,60,000
Other Institutions: 18, Beneficiaries (Annual): 2,000