The Diocese, comprising the whole civil district of Uttara Kannada, was carved out from Belgaum diocese and erected as the Diocese of Karwar by the Decree 'Christi Missum" of Pope Paul VI dated January 24, 1976.

Bp William Leonard D'Mello was appointed First Bishop of Karwar by an Apostolic Bull dated January 24, 1976. He was ordained and installed as the First Bishop of Karwar on April 29, 1977. He served the diocese of Karwar for 30 year with great pastoral care.

Bp DEREK FERNANDES
Born: May. 14, 1954
Priestly Ordn: May 05, 1979
Appointed Bishop of Karwar: Feb. 24. 2007
Episcopal consecration: Apr. 20, 2007

Address:
Bishop's Office
Puneeth Sadan, Shirwad
Karwar - 581 306
Uttara Kannada (Karnataka).

Tel: (08382) 28 23 64 (O), 28 23 63 (P)
Fax: (08382) 28 24 52
Mobile: 94488 06835 
E-mail: bishopkwr@sancharnet.in
 
Area: 10,291 sq. km.
Total population: 13,53,000
Catholics: 53,870
Languages spoken: Konkani, Kannada, Marathi
 
Statistics
Diocesan Clergy: 114
Religious Priests: 17
No. of Parishes: 66
Houses of Women Religious: 47
Houses of Men Religious: 08

No. of Educational Institutions
Jr. College: 02
High Schools (10th std.): 17     
Primary Schools: 19
Hospitals & Dispensaries: 16