Jullundur (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Jose Sebastian Thekkumcherikunnel, Bishop-Elect
Agnelo Rufino Gracias, Apostolic Administrator, Sede Vacante
Franco Mulakkal (Aippunny), Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 6 December 1971
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Delhi
Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelization
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: India
Square Kilometers: 51,120 (19,745 Square Miles)
Description: Civil districts of Amritsar, Faridkot, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Moga, Muktsar, Nawanshahar, Nangal and Anandpur Sahib Tehsils of Ropar, Pathankot, Tarn Taran in the Punjab and Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra and Una in Himachal Pradesh
Official Web Site: https://jalandhardiocese.com
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, H. 175, Civil Lines, Jalandhar City-144001, Punjab, India
Telephone: (0181)2223.987
Fax: 4635.701

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Jullundur
- Latin Name: Iullundurensis
- Erected: 17 January 1952
- Country: India

Past and Present Ordinaries

Alban Francis Swarbrick (of Blackburn), O.F.M. Cap. † (31 Oct 1952 Appointed - 1971 Resigned)
Symphorian Thomas Keeprath, O.F.M. Cap. † (6 Dec 1971 Appointed - 24 Feb 2007 Retired)
Anil Joseph Thomas Couto (24 Feb 2007 Appointed - 30 Nov 2012 Appointed, Archbishop of Delhi)
Franco Mulakkal (Aippunny) (13 Jun 2013 Appointed - 1 Jun 2023 Resigned)
Jose Sebastian Thekkumcherikunnel (7 Jun 2025 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Jullundur
17 January 1952	Erected	Diocese of Lahore (Jammu)	Prefecture Apostolic of Jullundur (erected)
Diocese of Jullundur
6 December 1971	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Jullundur	Diocese of Jullundur

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

Prefecture Apostolic of Jullundur

1970 16,809 9,044,910 .2% 11 11 1,528 194 ap1971

Diocese of Jullundur

1980 26,045 12,300,000 .2% 16 26 42 620 29 223 ap1981

1990 42,363 16,878,406 .3% 38 32 70 605 34 369 ap1991

1999 86,025 21,861,025 .4% 50 40 90 955 57 460 92 ap2000

2000 88,833 22,198,245 .4% 50 41 91 976 64 474 92 ap2002

2002 93,142 23,095,044 .4% 55 41 96 970 66 508 99 ap2003

2003 95,004 23,556,944 .4% 57 50 107 887 83 518 101 ap2004

2004 105,654 44,028,082 .2% 60 56 116 910 141 619 101 ap2005

2006 109,922 45,388,815 .2% 62 44 106 1,037 118 648 103 ap2007

2011 137,342 48,556,000 .3% 72 62 134 1,024 112 655 106 ap2012

2013 143,623 21,697,420 .7% 80 62 142 1,011 100 700 109 ap2014

2016 113,259 19,296,682 .6% 89 62 151 750 120 675 110 ap2017

2019 109,719 20,015,500 .5% 88 75 163 673 91 716 114 ap2020

2021 109,391 30,451,858 .4% 85 76 161 679 94 758 133 ap2022

2023 109,078 31,045,330 .4% 84 108 192 568 120 816 137 ap2024

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Prefecture Apostolic of Jullundur
1970	16,809	9,044,910	.2%	11		11	1,528		194		ap1971
Diocese of Jullundur
1980	26,045	12,300,000	.2%	16	26	42	620	29	223		ap1981
1990	42,363	16,878,406	.3%	38	32	70	605	34	369		ap1991
1999	86,025	21,861,025	.4%	50	40	90	955	57	460	92	ap2000
2000	88,833	22,198,245	.4%	50	41	91	976	64	474	92	ap2002
2002	93,142	23,095,044	.4%	55	41	96	970	66	508	99	ap2003
2003	95,004	23,556,944	.4%	57	50	107	887	83	518	101	ap2004
2004	105,654	44,028,082	.2%	60	56	116	910	141	619	101	ap2005
2006	109,922	45,388,815	.2%	62	44	106	1,037	118	648	103	ap2007
2011	137,342	48,556,000	.3%	72	62	134	1,024	112	655	106	ap2012
2013	143,623	21,697,420	.7%	80	62	142	1,011	100	700	109	ap2014
2016	113,259	19,296,682	.6%	89	62	151	750	120	675	110	ap2017
2019	109,719	20,015,500	.5%	88	75	163	673	91	716	114	ap2020
2021	109,391	30,451,858	.4%	85	76	161	679	94	758	133	ap2022
2023	109,078	31,045,330	.4%	84	108	192	568	120	816	137	ap2024

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Anil Joseph Thomas Couto (Bishop: 24 Feb 2007 to 30 Nov 2012)
Agnelo Rufino Gracias (Apostolic Administrator, Sede Plena: 20 Sep 2018; Apostolic Administrator, Sede Vacante: 1 Jun 2023)
Franco Mulakkal (Aippunny) (Priest: 21 Apr 1990 to 17 Jan 2009; Bishop: 13 Jun 2013 to 1 Jun 2023)
Jose Sebastian Thekkumcherikunnel (Priest: 1 May 1991; Bishop: 7 Jun 2025)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Symphorian Thomas Keeprath, O.F.M. Cap. † (Bishop: 6 Dec 1971 to 24 Feb 2007)
Alban Francis Swarbrick (of Blackburn), O.F.M. Cap. † (Prefect: 31 Oct 1952 to 1971)

Source(s)

Prefecture Apostolic of Jullundur
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 44, Page 446, and Page 447
Diocese of Jullundur
- Acta Apostolicæ Sedis, Volume 64, Page 415, and Page 416

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Diocese of Jullundur

Dioecesis Iullundurensis