History of the Diocese

The Diocese of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India was erected on July 12, 1962. The sub-divisions of Chaibasa, Chakradharpur and Jagnathpur in West Singhbhum District and the entire district of Seraikela-Kharaswan was formerly part of the Archdiocese of Ranchi, belonging to Chotanagpur Mission. The districts of Singhbhum East, Bokaro, Dhanbad and Purulia were part of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, taken care by the Bengal Mission. Initially the new Diocese was entrusted to the American Jesuits from Maryland Province for the further development. The Diocese today proudly serves 70,121 Catholics with 186 local Diocesan and religious Priests; 318 Sisters in 57 Convents; 38 Parishes; and 115 Mission Stations and Mass Centres.

In Jharkhand, it encompasses the civil districts of Dhanbad, Seraikela-Kharsawan, East and West Singhbhum, excluding the parish of Bandgoan in West Singhbhum, in Bokaro the Chandankiyari and the portion of the Chas Block which lies East of the National Highway 32 and in West Bengal it covers the district of Purulia.

Most Rev. L.T. Picachy, SJ, was elected as the first Bishop of Jamshedpur on 12th July, 1962 and was consecrated on 09th September, 1962. In 1969 he was appointed as the Archbishop of Calcutta and was installed on 10th August, 1969. He was made Cardinal on 24th May, 1976. He died in Calcutta on 29th November, 1992. Most Rev. Joseph R. Rodericks, S.J was elected as the Bishop of Jamshedpur on June, 1970 and was consecrated as Bishop on 09th January, 1971. He retired on 09th January, 1996 and died in Mumbai on 14th July, 2010. He is buried in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Golmuri, Jamshedpur. Most Rev. Felix Toppo, S.J. was elected Bishop of Jamshedpur on 18th July, 1997 and consecrated Bishop on 27th September, 1997. On 24th June, 2018, Most Rev. Felix Toppo, S.J was appointed as the Archbishop of Ranchi and was installed on 6th August, 2018. Most Rev. Telesphore Bilung, SVD, the Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi was appointed as the Apostolic Administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Diocese of Jamshedpur on 20th June, 2019. On 1st Nov, 2021, he was appointed as the Bishop of Jamshedpur Diocese and was installed on 11th December, 2021.

The diocese has its clergy from different parts of the country. A good number of Religious Priests, Brothers and Sisters are collaborating in the mission, serving Christ’s faithful in his vineyard.

Jamshedpur Diocese is now in its 60 years of experience of being ‘People of God’. It is looking forward in the Synodal way with a renewed vigour and enthusiasm to a more fruitful service to the people in the years to come.