Diocese of Raiganj


The Roman Catholic Diocese of Raiganj is located in Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India. Established on June 8, 1978, by Pope Paul VI through the Apostolic Bull Ut Petrus et Pastor, it was formed by detaching territories from the Diocese of Dumka, specifically the districts of West Dinajpur and Malda. Subsequently, West Dinajpur was divided into North and South Dinajpur districts.

History

  • June 8, 1978: Established as the Diocese of Raiganj from the Diocese of Dumka
  • The St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral, located in Chotparua village near Raiganj, serves as the diocesan cathedral. The current structure was inaugurated on November 17, 2010, replacing the previous tin-roofed church that had become inadequate for the growing Catholic community. The cathedral, designed by architect Arvinda Chatterjee, features Greek-style pillars, stained glass, and a hexagonal dome. It can accommodate up to 2,000 people.

    Leadership

  • Bishops of Raiganj
  • * Bishop Fuljence Aloysius Tigga,
  • * Bishop Alphonsus F. D'Souza, S.J.
  • * Bishop Leo Tigga, S.J.