A. Catholic Population
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As of Dec. 31, 2004, the diocese had 70,500 Catholics, accounting for 4.5 percent of all 1,569,580 people in the territory. The diocese also had 31 parishes and 73 resident priests. |
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People in the Diocese
Baptized Catholics: 70,500 or 4.5%
Members of other Christian denominations (approximate): 20,250
Followers of non-Christian religions (mostly Hindus): 1,469,830
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B. Diocesan and Religious Priests
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Diocesan Priests: 52
Religious Priests: 10
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C. Religious Brothers , Sisters
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Religious Brothers: 28
Religious Sisters: 105
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D. Catechists
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Catechists: 648 (10 salaried, 638 volunteers)
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E. Houses of Formation
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Minor seminary: 1
Houses of Formation: 1
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F. There are 31 parishes and 6 places of pilgrimage in the diocese
Diocesan Activities and Organizations
A. Major Diocesan Commissions and Organizations
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Pastoral Council
Youth Apostolate
Administrative Committee
Deanery Committee
Pastoral Committee
Asian Intergral Pastoral Approach( (AsIPA)
Laity
Catechetics, Bible and Education
Liturgy and Cultural Affairs
Pontifical Mission Societies
Family Apostolate
Legion of Mary (Pious Associations)
Catholic Education Committee
Social Committee
Committee for Finance and Property
The Secretariat Committee
Tribunal
Diocesan Offices
Diocesan Pastoral Care and Mission
Finance and Property
Catholic Education
Social Ministry (Social Development, Family Apostolate)
Pastoral Training Centre
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B. Catholic Educational Institutions
C. Catholic Social Welfare
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Orphanages: 3
Boys' homes: 1
Center for handicapped children: 1
Homes for the elderly: 3
Health services: 1
Social and pastoral work houses: 7
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D. Social Communications
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St. Joseph Catholic Press, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
Phone: (94) 65-2222364
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Religious Congregations, Societies and Institutes
A. Religious Institutes of Men
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Brothers of Charity ~ FC
Franciscan Missionary Brothers ~ CMSF
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B. Religious Institutes of Women
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Sisters of Apostolic Carmel
Sisters of Charity
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary ~ FMM
Little Sisters of the Poor
Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Sisters of the Holy Family
Sisters of the Holy Cross
Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa's Sisters) ~ MC
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| General Characteristics of the Diocese
In a land area of 9,635.3 square kilometers, the diocesan territory includes Trincomalee and Batticaloa deaneries and two districts of Sri Lanka.
Trincomalee is a port city on the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka, about 257 kilometers northeast of Colombo. The town is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbors. Trincomalee is derived from the Tamil name Thiru-kona-malai, meaning "Holy-East Hill". Hindu civilisation flourished here during the reign of the South Indian emperors of the Chola Dynasty.
Trincomalee has one of the world's finest natural harbors and can accommodate large vessels. This fact led to Trincomalee being captured in turn by the Portuguese, Dutch, French and British from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
It is an important trading city between Sri Lanka and the outside world. Trincomalee lies in the region of Sri Lanka where most of the population is Tamil and Hindus by religion.Trincomalee and its environs are sacred to Hindus as well as Buddhists. Tiriyayi, 47 kilometers north of Trincomalee, is a place of Buddhist interest. The ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery have been discovered here.
Ancient ruined temples, beautiful beaches, lagoons, hot springs, vast agricultural lands and tourist hotels can be seen here. The town also has the largest Dutch fortress in Sri Lanka.Trincomalee enjoys warm weather all year round. Trincomalee-Batticaloa diocese was one of the places hardest hit by the 2004 tsunami.
Batticaloa is on the east coast, 314 kilometers from Colombo. The population of 86,742 consists mainly of Tamils and Muslims, with a minority Sinhalese population.
Most farms in this area are now cultivated by Tamil Muslims, traditionally business people who have turned to farming and fishing. Several Eastern Province Muslims are now land owners and own vast tracks of rice fields. Trincomalee-Batticaloa diocese is adjacent to Jaffna in the north, Colombo in the west, Galle in the south, Kandy in the central region, and Kurunegala.
Climate
The climate is pleasant with an average temperature of around 27 degrees Celsius, influenced by two monsoons: the southwest monsoon prevailing from May to September, and the northeast monsoon from November to February.
The rainy season lasts from October to December. High temperatures and low rainfall characterize the climate. Monthly temperatures range between 26.5 and 30 degrees Celsius, with highs normally recorded between May and August. The diocese receives nearly 60 percent of its rainfall during the northeast monsoon, which lasts from October to December.
Language
Standard Tamil language is in use. Sinhala language is used in some areas.
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