History
The history
of the Diocese of Kalyan is very much intertwined with the history
of the Syro - Malabar Church itself in India. Having its roots
in the Apostolic Ministry of St. Thomas the Apostle himself
who established seven communities of the Christian Church in
Kerala in the first century itself. These Christians migrated
to different parts of India. They concentrated mainly in the
big cities of India. In Bombay, Pune and Nasik regions, they
are found in large numbers. The spiritual care of these regions
are assisted by lay association like Kerala Catholic Association
(Bombay). St. Thomas Christians of India (Pune), etc.
On September 8, 1978 Pope John Paul II appointed His Eminence
Antony Cardinal Padiyara, the then Archbishop of Changanacherry
as the Apostolic Visitor to study the situation. The visit of
Pope John Paul II to India in 1986 gave him a first hand experience
of the living faith of the Syro - Malabar Christians of India.
A Pontifical Commission was appointed and on the basis of its
report came the all-important letter of the Pope to the Bishops
of India observing that the present situation in Bombay - Pune
region is mature for the Churches to take necessary steps in
this regard. Finally on May 19, 1988 His Holiness Pope John
Paul II made the announcement of the establishment of a new
diocese for the Syro - Malabar Christians of Bombay - Pune -
Nasik regions, the Diocese of Kalyan, and the designation of
Mgr. Paul Chittilapilly as its first Bishop. The Bull, however,
was signed by the Pope as on April 30, 1988. Thus the birth
of the diocese and the appointment of the first Bishop took
effect from April 30,1988. The Episcopal Ordination and the
official inauguration of the diocese took place on August 24,
1988 at the Don Bosco Grounds, Matunga, Bombay.
After nine years of dedicated and pioneering work in the newly
born diocese, Bishop Paul Chittilappilly was transferred to
the diocese of Thamarassery in Kerala on December18, 1996 and
took charge on February 13, 1997. His successor and the second
bishop of Kalyan Diocese was Mar Thomas Elavanal, whose consecration
was on February 8, 1997 at Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli, Mumbai.
Bp
THOMAS ELAVANAL
Born : Mar. 28, 1950
Priestly Ordn.: Dec. 22, 1975
Episcopal Ordn.: Feb. 08, 1997
Address:
Bishop's House
Plot No. B/38, I I T P. O., Powai
Mumbai - 400 076.
Te: (022) 25 78 55 15, 25 78 23 85, 25 79 20 16 (P)
Fax: (022) 25 77 61 00
E-mail: kalyanbp@bol.net.in
Website: http://www.dioceseofkalyan.com/
Area: 1,45,663 sq. kms.
Total population: 485,70,844
Catholics: 1,00,000
Languages spoken: Marathi, Hindi, Malayalam and English
Revenue districts: Greater Bombay, Thane, Raigad, Pune, Kolhapur,
Satara, Solapppur, Sangli, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Nasik, Dhule,
Jalgon, Nandurbar and Ahmednagar.
Statistics
Diocesan Clergy
(Fathers Ascribed to the Eparchy): 26
(From other dioceses): 17
Religious Priests: 78
Religious Women: 244
No. of Parishes: 101
Mission Centres: 41
Houses of Women Religious: 56
Houses of Men Religious: 07
Formation Houses
Minor Seminary: 01
No. of Educational institutions: 29
High Schools (10th std.): 08
Students: 13,698
Primary Schools: 21
Students: 7,174
Hospitals: 03
Beds: 370
Dispensaries: 09
Other Institutions: 18
