Roman Catholic Diocese of Batticaloa
The Diocese of Batticaloa (Latin: Dioecesis Batticaloaensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese for south-eastern Sri Lanka. The current bishop is Joseph Ponniah.
Diocese of Batticaloa Dioecesis Batticaloaensis மட்டக்களப்பு மறைமாவட்டம் | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Ecclesiastical province | Colombo |
| Metropolitan | Colombo |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 7,269 km2 (2,807 sq mi) |
| Population - Total - Catholics (including non-members) | (as of 2012) 1,199,966 55,225 (4.6%) |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Established | 3 July 2012 |
| Cathedral | St. Mary's Cathedral, Batticaloa |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Bishop | Joseph Ponniah |
| Metropolitan Archbishop | Malcolm Ranjith |
History
The Diocese of Batticaloa was created on 3 July 2012 from parts of the Diocese of Trincomalee-Batticaloa.[1] First and oldest church of this diocese is Church of Our Lady of Presentation.[2]
Parishes and Churches
It has 19 parishes in Batticaloa deanery and 7 in Kalmunai deanery.[3] It has 7 shrines such as St. Antony's shrine (Puliyanthivu), Our Lady of Fátima shrine (Inginiyagala), Our Lady of the Rosary shrine (Periya Pullumalai), Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrine (Aayithiyamalai), Our Lady of Little Lourdes shrine (Navatkudah), Holy Cross shrine (Sorikkalmunai) and St. Judas Thaddaeus shrine (Thettathivu).[4]
Bishops
| # | Bishop | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Joseph Ponniah | 2012 |
References
- "Diocese of Batticaloa". GCatholic.
- "Newsletter: The Two New Dioceses of Batticaloa & Trincomalee" (PDF). Roman Catholic Diocese of Batticaloa. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- "Parishes". Diocese of Batticaloa. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- "Shrines". Diocese of Batticaloa. Retrieved 27 April 2016.