Glimpse of Darjeeling

1.   The mountainous Diocese of Darjeeling was
     erected on 25 November, 1962.

2.   Late Bishop Eric Benjamin was the first bishop; 
     he served up to May, 1994. Bishop Stephen is the
     second bishop, who was elected in 8th December, 1997.

3.   The patron of the Diocese is Immaculate Conception
      of Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Teresa of Child Jesus.

4.   Political unit –
     Three hill subdivisions –
     Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong – 2425 Sq. k.m.,
     State of Sikkim -  7096 Sq. k.m.,
     Kingdom of Bhutan  - 46500 Sq. k.m.

5.   Population: (2001 census)
     Three hill subdivision 7,90,000,
     Sikkim- 5,40,493,
     Bhutan 1 million.
 
6.   Catholic Population: 34,308 (2007 census)

7.   Language: 
     Nepali, Lepcha, Tibetan, Dzonkha,
     English and many other tribal languages
     (Common language is Nepali)

8.   Parishes:
     Total full-fledged parishes – 35,
     Quasi parishes – 8,
     Mission stations – 115.

9.  Priests working in the Diocese:
     Diocesan – 66,
     Religious – 57,
     Canadian – 4,
     Italian – 1 and
     314 religious sisters belonging to
     13 different congregations.

10.  Catechists: 116

Major apostolic works in the Diocese

1.   Preaching ministry
2.   Catechetical
3.   Formation of the future priests
4.   Education Apostolate
5.   Nature of the schools
6.   Health Apostolate
7.   Social Apostolate
8.   Other various pastoral works are carried out by the following commissions
9.   Challenges in the Diocese