Diocese of Rourkela

Dioecesis Rurkelaensis

Bishop(s)

Vacant
Alphonse Bilung, S.V.D., Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 4 July 1979
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: India
Square Kilometers: 9,675 (3,736 Square Miles)
Description: comprised the four Orissa Districts of Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Bolangir and Dhenkanal
Official Web Site: http://www.rkldiocese.org/
Mailing Address: Hamirpur, Raurkela-769003, Sundargarh Dt., Orissa, India
Telephone: (0661)642.302

Past and Present Ordinaries

Alphonse Bilung, S.V.D. (4 Jul 1979 Appointed - 2 Apr 2009 Retired)
John Barwa, S.V.D. (2 Apr 2009 Succeeded - 11 Feb 2011 Appointed, Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar)

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
4 July 1979	Erected	Diocese of Sambalpur	Diocese of Rourkela (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1980 128,714 1,303,758 9.9% 18 30 48 2,681 43 275 ap1981

1990 164,788 1,546,500 10.7% 27 44 71 2,320 58 255 ap1991

1999 210,355 1,600,000 13.1% 76 76 2,767 131 353 36 ap2000

2000 210,669 1,600,000 13.2% 43 76 119 1,770 131 353 36 ap2001

2001 215,329 1,624,000 13.3% 44 65 109 1,975 155 340 38 ap2002

2002 220,458 1,648,000 13.4% 44 72 116 1,900 159 337 39 ap2003

2003 222,470 1,665,000 13.4% 44 68 112 1,986 154 340 41 ap2004

2004 220,095 1,647,225 13.4% 48 70 118 1,865 171 354 40 ap2005

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1980	128,714	1,303,758	9.9%	18	30	48	2,681	43	275		ap1981
1990	164,788	1,546,500	10.7%	27	44	71	2,320	58	255		ap1991
1999	210,355	1,600,000	13.1%		76	76	2,767	131	353	36	ap2000
2000	210,669	1,600,000	13.2%	43	76	119	1,770	131	353	36	ap2001
2001	215,329	1,624,000	13.3%	44	65	109	1,975	155	340	38	ap2002
2002	220,458	1,648,000	13.4%	44	72	116	1,900	159	337	39	ap2003
2003	222,470	1,665,000	13.4%	44	68	112	1,986	154	340	41	ap2004
2004	220,095	1,647,225	13.4%	48	70	118	1,865	171	354	40	ap2005

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

John Barwa, S.V.D. (Coadjutor Bishop: 4 Feb 2006; Bishop: 2 Apr 2009 to 11 Feb 2011)
Alphonse Bilung, S.V.D. (Bishop: 4 Jul 1979 to 2 Apr 2009)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

None