A. Catholic Population
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As of May 2006, Kumbakonam diocese had 207,235 baptized Catholics, representing 7.89 percent of all 2,627,446 people in the territory. The diocese had 85 parishes and 525 mission stations. Between June 2005 and May 2006, the diocese recorded 2,790 baptisms and 360 catechumens. |
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People in the Diocese
Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains are the other religious communities in the diocese
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B. Diocesan and Religious Priests
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Diocesan priests: 149
Religious Priests: 45
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C. Religious Brothers , Sisters
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Religious Brothers: 2
Religious Sisters: 465 (462 Indians, 1 Canadian, 2 Italians)
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D. Lay Missionaries, Catechists
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Lay missionaries: 4
Catechists: 353 (salaried: 18, volunteers: 335)
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E. Seminaries, Houses of Formation
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Minor seminary: 1
Houses of Formation: 8
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F. Deaneries in Diocese
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Kumbakonam, Jayamkondam, Pullambadi, Perambalur, Michaelpatty and Lalgudi
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G. There are 85 parishes and 525 mission stations in the diocese
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| Sacred Heart Minor Seminary |
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| Bishop's House in Kumbakonam |
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Diocesan Activities and Organizations
A. Major Diocesan Commissions and Organizations
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| Eucharistic procession |
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| Mass marriage arranged for poor Catholic couples |
Commission for Bible
Convener: Father Philip Santiago
Commission for Evangelization
Convener: Father Philip Santiago
Commission for Vocation
Convener: Father G. Christuraj
Commission for Liturgy and Catechetics
Convener: Father A. Francis
Commission for Youth
Convener: Father T. Xavier
Commission for Communication
Convener: Father A. Lawrence
Family Commission
Convener: Father A. Lawrence
Laity Commission
Convener: Father Philip Santiago
Ecumenism & Dialogue
Convener: Father A. Francis
Justice, Peace & Development
Convener: Father A. Martin De Porres
Pious Associations
Convener: Monsignor Peter Francis
Labor Commission
Convener: Father Peter Arockiadoss
ST, SC & BC Commission
Convener: Father A. Martin De Porres
Education Commission
Convener: Father S. Susai Nathan
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B. Catholic Educational Institutions
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Schools |
Students |
| Pre-Primary Schools |
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| Primary Schools |
63 |
33,363 |
| Secondary Schools |
43 |
38,268 |
| Post-secondary Schools |
8 |
7,568 |
| Colleges |
1 |
800 |
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C. Catholic Social Welfare
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Hospitals, clinics, dispensaries: 35
Homes for the elderly: 2
Homes for the disabled: 2
Orphanages and child welfare centers: 24
AIDS hospices: 0
Youth centers: 1
Socio-economic centers: 2
Family apostolates: 0
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| Diocesan youth helping in tsunami relief work in neighboring diocese |
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| Village Lay leaders' meeting |
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D. Social Communications
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Beschi Communication Center
Address: Bishops House, P.B.No.3, Kumbakonam - 612 00, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India
Father Lawrence A. is in charge of the communication center
Website: www.dioceseofkumbakonam.org
The diocese publishes a monthly magazine in Tamil called Annaiyin Arutsudar (Grace of Our Blessed Mother)
St. Joseph's Press
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E. Other Church Organizations and Associations
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Legion of Mary
St. Vincent De Paul Society
Carmel III Order
Franciscan III Order
Young Christian Workers Movement
Christian Renewal Movement of India
Kolping Society
Catholic Association
Sacred Heart League
Altar boys Association
Holy Childhood
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Religious Congregations, Societies and Institutes
A. Religious Institutes of Men
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Order of Friars Minor Capuchins ~ OFM Cap
Order of Discalced Carmelites ~ OCD
Claretian Missionaries ~ CMF
Heralds of Good News ~ HGN
Society of Jesus ~ SJ
Society of Montfort Missionaries ~ SMM
The Order of the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God ~ OMD
The Servants of Charity ~ SDC
Salesians of Don Bosco ~ SDB
Monfort Brothers of St. Gabriel ~ SG
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B. Religious Institutes of Women
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Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ FIHM
Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate ~ SMMI
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Anne, Trichy ~ SAT
Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod ~ SCC
Society of St. Anne, Chennai ~ SSA
Congregation of Teresian Carmelites ~ CTC
Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph ~ FSJ
Franciscan Servants of Mary ~ FSM
Daughters of Mary of Providence ~ DSMP
Sisters of Charity of Mary ~ SCSM
Bethlemite Sisters ~ BS
Canossian Daughters of Charity ~ FDCC
Congregation of Immaculate Conception ~ CIC
Daughters of Mary Immaculate ~ DMI
Sisters of Good News Society ~ SGN
Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga ~ FSAG
Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ SSHJ
Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny ~ SJC
Mothers of Sorrows Servants of Mary (Servites) ~ OSM
Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Bon Secours ~ FBS
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ PBVM
Franciscan Sisters of the Presentation of Mary ~ FSPM
Missionary Sisters of Incarnation ~ SMI
Order of Discalced Carmelites ~ OCD
Sisters of St. Anne (Bangalore) ~ SAB
Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition ~ SJA
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| General Characteristics of the Diocese
History
The Diocese of Kumbakonam was carved out of the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and was erected on Sept. 1, 1899, by the apostolic letter of Pope Leo XIII. The first two bishops were from Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP): Monsignor Hugo M. Bottero, who led the diocese from 1899 to 1913, and Monsignor Marie Augustine Chapuis who led the diocese from 1913 to 1930.
After a year of able guidance by Monsignor M. A. Xavier as its apostolic administrator, Monsignor Peter Francis became the first indigenous bishop in 1931 and was followed by Monsignor D. Paul Arulsamy in 1955. In his tenure of 33 years (1955-1988), the diocese witnessed the liturgical and theological renewal of the Second Vatican Council. At his resignation in 1988, Monsignor Antony David, led the diocese as diocesan administrator. The fifth bishop, Monsignor Peter Remigius, was ordained bishop on Jan. 3, 1990.
Geography
The diocese covers 7,823 square kilometers, including 18 civil administration units called taluks cutting across five civil districts. Kumbakonam is the largest town in the diocese. Srigangam and Perambular are other important towns in the diocese.
Demographic data
The total population is 2,627. The Tamils form the major ethnic group. Tamil is the language used in the diocesan territory.
Political structure
The towns are managed by municipalities. The villages and small towns are administered by elected local bodies called panchayats.
Economy
Rupees 17,339 (US$375 as of September 2006) is the per capita income in the diocesan territory. Farming, especially paddy cultivation, is the most common occupation. The diocese is part of an area called the "rice bowl of Tamil Nadu." Kumbakonam is also famous for its betel nuts.
Telecommunications
Government and private operators provide extensive telecommunication facilities in the diocesan area. The diocese is well connected by local cable TV networks.
Transportation
The diocesan area is well connected in terms of transport infrastructure by roads and railways. The nearest airport is in Trichy city.
Education
The diocese has a literacy rate of 66.07 per cent.
The website of the diocese is available at: www.dioceseofkumbakonam.org
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