Roman Catholic Diocese of Khulna

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Khulna (Latin: Dioecesis Khulnensis) is a diocese located in the city of Khulna in the Ecclesiastical province of Dhaka in Bangladesh. Bishop James Romen Boiragi, who was local priest and now he leads the diocese. Many Italian priests, including local priests and nuns are preaching word of God in the diocese and taking spiritual care to the parishioners.

Brief history

The Diocese of Khulna was created on 3 January 1952 as the Diocese of Jessore. It was under the Archdiocese of Calcutta and the Diocese of Krishnagar, both in India. In this region the Foreign Missionaries of Milan (PIME) had begun their apostolate in 1855. Actually in 1856, Fr. Antonio Marietti, PIME, arrived in Jessore. From 1927 to 1952, the Salesian Missionaries worked in this territory. However, Satkhira Parish was under the Jesuits from Calcutta during 1918–1952. The Episcopal See was transferred from Jessore to the larger city of Khulna on 14 June 1956 and since then this has been called the Diocese of Khulna. The newly created Diocese was entrusted to the St. Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society (SX), popularly known as the "Xaverian Fathers". Of special historical interest is Iswaripur, which is fifty miles south of Satkhira town. At this place was located the first ever Christian Church structure, dedicated by the Jesuits on 1 January 1600 under the title of "The Church of the Holy name of Jesus"; nothing of this Church remains now. There was no other Christian Church in the area comprising the present Khulna Diocese until the arrival of the PIME Missionaries in 1856. Then the first Church was at Jessore (1856).

Leadership

• Bishops of Khulna (Roman rite)
  • Bishop James Romen Boiragi (4 May 2012 – present); formerly, Vicar General and Diocesan Administrator
  • Bishop Bejoy Nicephorus D’Cruze, O.M.I. (19 February 2005 – 8 July 2011; Appointed Bishop of Sylhet)
  • Bishop Michael Atul D’Rozario, C.S.C. (21 September 1970 – 19 February 2005)
  • Bishop Dante Battaglierin, S.X. (3 August 1956 – 20 March 1969)

Information

Priest 47, Sisters 100, Brothers 7, Lay missionaries 53, Catechist 53, Parish 11, Religious Society 13, High School 5, Primary School 17, Seminary & Novitiate 8, Boarding House & Orphanages 17, Health Center/Clinic 9

Special personalities

• Fr. Marino Rigor, Christian Missionary and writer and translator who transplanted some 40 books into Italian. Government has proffered him with Honorary Bangladeshi Citizenship

References

• GCatholic.org
• Catholic Hierarchy
• http://www.cbcbsec.org/the_catholic_directory_4_bangladesh.tm

Coordinates: 22°48′33″N 89°34′02″E / 22.8091°N 89.5672°E / 22.8091; 89.5672