History

The Archdiocese of Nagpur is situated roughly in the middle of India. It now comprises the districts of Nagpur and Bhandara in Maharashtra state, and the districts of Betul, Chhindwara, Seoni (except the tehsil of Lakhnadon) and Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh. The diocese was originally formed by dismemberment of what was then known as the Central Provinces and Berar, from the Diocese of Visakhapatnam in 1887. It was entrusted to the care of Fathers of St. Francis de Sales.

On July 18, 1932 the Brief "De Romanorum Pontificum" erected the Prefecture of Jabalpur (now diocese) by separating from the Diocese of Visakhapatnam in 1887. It was entrusted to the care of Fathers of St. Francis de Sales.

Again on March 11, 1935, the Decree "Salutis Animarum" of the S.C. of the Propagation of Faith erected the Prefecture of Indore (now diocese) comprising parts of the Diocese of Ajmer, Allahabad and Nagpur, namely, the districts of Hoshangabad and Khandwa.

Further on May 8, 1935, the Decree "Cum Petierit" erected the Diocese of Amravati by taking away from the Nagpur Archdiocese the four districts of Berar (Amravati, Akola, Buldana and Yeotmal) and the three districts of Marathwada (Aurangabad and parts of Parbhani and Nanded. The other parts of Parbhani and Nanded belonged to the Archdiocese of Hyderabad).

On March 31, 1962, the Apostolic Decree "Ad Lucem Sancti Evangelii" erected the Exarchate of Chanda from the three districts of Wardha, Chanda and Adilabad, till then part of Nagpur Archdiocese. This was entrusted to the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, of the Syro-Malabar Rite. In 1976 Chanda Exarchate was made into a diocese.

On January 16, 1964 by the Bull "Religio Vera Christique Salus" the districts of Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur were further detached from the Nagpur Archdiocese to form the Prefecture of Raipur which was entrusted to the Pallottine Fathers and later given the status of diocese in March 1974.

In September 1953, Nagpur was raised to an Archbishopric, with Amravati and Chanda diocese as its Suffragans. Most Rev. Eugene D'Souza was the first Indian Bishop and later Archbishop of Nagpur.

Abp ABRAHAM VIRUTHAKULANGARA
Born:  Jun. 05, 1943
Priestly Ordn: Oct. 28, 1969
Episcopal Ordn: Jul. 13, 1977

Address: 
Archbishop's House
25, Kamptee Road,
P.O. Mohan Nagar,
Dt. Nagpur, 
Maharashtra - 440 001.
 
Tel: (0712) 25 33 239         
Fax: (0712) 25 27 906       
Mobile: 098901 54188
E-mail: abpabrah_ngp@sancharnet.in
 
Area : 59,024 sq. kms.
Total population: 7,00,000
Catholics: 23,185
Languages spoken: Hindi, Marathi and English. 
Revenue districts: Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Seoni, Chhindwara, Betul and Balaghat.
 
Statistics
Diocesan Clergy: 43
Religious Priests: 62
Religious Brothers: 32
Religious Women: 397
No. of Parishes: 31
Houses of Women Religious: 24
Houses of Men Religious: 15
 
Formation Houses
Major Seminary: 01
Minor Seminary: 01
Others: 01
 
No. of Educational Institutions: 61
B. Ed. Colleges: 01
Students: 80
Colleges: 01       
Students: 1,284
Technical Institutions: 01
Sr. Secondary Schools (10+2: 02       
Students: 4,732
High Schools (10th std.): 12
Students: 18,859
Primary Schools: 05
Students: 1,428
Hospitals: 02       
Beds: 32
Dispensaries: 21
Beneficiaries (Annual): 28,795
Other Institutions: 02
Beneficiaries (Annual): 350