The Augustinians and the Jesuits were he first missionaries to look for the souls for Christ in the beginning of 17th century. Around 1620 they established a catholic centre at Berhampur in Murshidabad district.

Fr. Thomas Zubiburu, a Protuguese Carmelite came to Krishnagar in May 1845 from Chitagong and formed the first catholic community at Krishnagar. In 1846 he built a chapel which was dedicated to 'Our Lady of Carmel'. The catholic Mission in Krishnagar was closed when, due to illness, Fr. Thomas was forced to withdraw. The municipality took over the chapel and converted into a dispensary.

The Milan Fathers (MIME) arrived in 1855 to work in central Bengal Mission, consisting of the whole of Assam, part of present Bangladesh, and present Krishnagar diocese. Fr. Luigi Limana claimed the chapel from municipality, and again the catholic community began to group up. 

On 19th July 1870 the Holy See erected Krishnagar into a prefecture Apostolic and Fr. Antony Marietti was appointed its first Prefect Apostolic. 

Krishnagar was erected a diocese on 1st September 1886 and Mongr. Francis Pozzi was appointed its first Bishop. He built the Cathedral at the sight of old chapel which was destroyed in the earthquake of 1897. He rebuilt a new cathedral at the present site on 29 March 1899, and dedicated to Jesus, the Most Holy Redeemer. 

When the diocese of Dinajpur was bifurcated on 20th June 1928 the Milan Fathers opted to work for Dinjapur and handed over Krishnagar to the Salesians of Don Bosco. 

On 24 May, 2001, the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesians of Don Bosco have handed over the Bishop's House to the diocesan clergy.
The Krishnagar diocese is comprised of two civil districts of Naida and Murshidabad in West Bengal, India.

Bp JOSEPH SUREN GOMES
Born: Feb. 14, 1944
Priestly Ordn: Dec. 21, 1974
Episcopal Ordn: May 31, 2002

Address:
Bishop's House
P.O. Krishnagar, Nadia Dist.
Krishnagar - 741 101
West Bengal.
 
Tel.: (03472) 25 25 54 (O), 25 26 64 (P)
Fax: (03472) 25 26 64
E-mail: bpjgomes@vsnl.net