Roman Catholic Diocese of Dharmapuri

The history of the Dharmapuri Diocese is closely linked to that of the Diocese of Salem, from which it was separated from 24 January 1997. Christianity was introduced to the Salem Diocese in 1623 by Jesuit Robert De Nobili, followed by the Portuguese Jesuits of Madurai Missions. In 1654, Italian Jesuits from Mysore established their residence in Dharmapuri and began preaching the Gospel in the region, extending as far as Tirupattur in North Arcord.

In 1674, John de Britto visited Dharmapuri on his way to Kolei, accompanied by Fr. Antony Ribero. In 1687, the Church's work started to spread in the present districts of Salem and Dharmapuri. Despite the suppression of the Jesuits under the Pombal decree, they continued their mission under the jurisdiction of Cranganore.

In 1776, the Pope entrusted the Madurai Missions and the Malabar Missions to the MEP Fathers. In 1785, Chapenois, MEP Superior of the Malabar Mission, was given the responsibility by Rome to oversee the entire Mysore Mission, which included the old Diocese of Salem. In 1794, he became the first bishop to visit the Diocese of Salem and appointed Abbe Dubois to carry out the church's work.

Until 1930, this region remained under the administration of the Coramandal Missions and later the Apostolic Vicariate of Pondicherry, which became an archdiocese in 1886. However, Hosur Taluk was entrusted to the care of the Mysore Missions from 1861. On 3 August 1930, the Diocese of Salem was established.

Due to the vastness of the Diocese of Salem, the district of Dharmapuri was separated and declared a diocese by Pope John Paul II on 24 January 1997. Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj, a Salesian, was appointed as its first bishop. After 15 years of ministry, Irudayaraj retired on 13 January 2012, due to his advanced age. Lawrence Pius became the second bishop and was installed in the See of Dharmapuri on 20 February 2012. Under his leadership and the motto "To Proclaim the Good News to the Poor," the diocese has witnessed ongoing development in various fields. The Dharmapuri Diocese is the 15th diocese in the Tamil Nadu region.{{Cite web |title=Salem Diocese - Welcome to Diocese of Salem |url=https://salemdiocese.org/history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003035718/https://salemdiocese.org/history/ |archive-date=2023-10-03 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=salemdiocese.org}}

• Bishops of Dharmapuri (Latin Rite)
• Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj (24 January 1997 – 13 January 2012)
• Lawrence Pius Dorairaj (since 13 January 2012){{cite magazine | date = June 2019 | title = News Letter Dharamapuri Diocese| trans-title =

| url = https://www.cbci.in/Newletter/Newletter61316150249.pdf | format = PDF | language = ta | magazine = News Letter | location = Dharmapuri | publisher = Roman Catholic Diocese of Dharmapuri | access-date = September 6, 2023}}

This diocese has 45 Parish,{{cite web |title=Parishes |url=https://dharmapuridiocese.org/parishes/lists.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028070952/https://dharmapuridiocese.org/parishes/lists.html |archive-date=2022-10-28 |website=Dharmapuri Diocese}} which are bifurcated under 5 Vicariates{{cite web |title=Diocese Activities and Organizations of India |url=https://www.ucanews.com/directory/parishes-stations/india-dharmapuri/62/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010190813/https://www.ucanews.com/directory/parishes-stations/india-dharmapuri/62/ |archive-date=2023-10-10 |website=Union of Catholic Asian News}}

± = also Vicariate parish

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/dhar0.htm GCatholic.org] Wikipedia:SPS
• [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/ddhar.html Catholic Hierarchy] Wikipedia:SPS

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{{RC Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore|state=collapsed}}

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Category:Roman Catholic dioceses in India

Category:Christian organizations established in 1997

Category:Roman Catholic dioceses and prelatures established in the 20th century

Category:Christianity in Tamil Nadu

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