Sarah Mitchell
India has a large Catholic community, and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) is one of the four biggest Bishops' Conferences in the world. The CCBI is a National Episcopal Body that enables the country's Latin Catholic Bishops to exchange ideas and information, deliberate on the Church's concerns, and take care of the pastoral needs of the faithful. As of 2024, there were 192 active and retired bishop members of the CCBI, comprising 190 Latin Bishops in India (including 3 Cardinals, 22 Archbishops, 104 Bishops, 1 Co-adjutor Bishop, 9 Auxiliary Bishops, 4 Diocesan Administrators, and 61 Bishops Emeriti). In addition to these, there are also Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Bishops in India, as well as Apostolic Nuncios to the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Latin Bishops in India | 190 |
| Cardinals | 03 |
| Archbishops | 22 |
| Bishops | 104 |
| Co-adjutor Bishop | 01 |
| Auxiliary Bishops | 09 |
| Apostolic Administrators | -4 |
| Diocesan Administrators | 04 |
| Bishops Emeriti | 61 |
| Total Active and Retired Bishops | 192 |
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What You'll Learn
Bishops in India: their roles and responsibilities
There are approximately 5,600 living bishops in the Catholic Church's Latin and Eastern branches combined. In India, there are 190 Latin Bishops, including 3 Cardinals, 22 Archbishops, 104 Bishops, 1 Co-adjutor Bishop, 9 Auxiliary Bishops, 4 Apostolic Administrators, 4 Diocesan Administrators, and 61 Bishops Emeriti.
The Roles and Responsibilities of Bishops in India
Bishops in India, as elsewhere, are ordained ministers responsible for teaching, governing, and sanctifying the faithful of their diocese. They are the "chief shepherds" and spiritual leaders of their diocese, with the responsibility of pastoral care for all Catholics within their ecclesiastical and ritual jurisdiction.
Teaching
Bishops are the principal teachers in their diocese and are responsible for preaching the Word of God to their people. They must ensure that those delegated to teach in their name, such as priests, teachers, and catechists, teach the truth. This includes overseeing the preaching of the Gospel and Catholic education in all its forms.
Governing
Bishops meet the needs of the local community, including material, social, personal, and spiritual needs, while also ensuring that Church laws are observed. They are responsible for training and supplying priests for parishes, managing the finances of the diocese, and administering church property. Bishops can make Church laws, act as judges in Church matters, and enforce the observance of these laws, which relate to worship, preaching, administration of the sacraments, safeguarding the faith, and religious instruction.
Sanctifying
Bishops ensure that the sacraments are administered and have the authority to ordain priests and confirm. They must also ensure that Mass is celebrated in the diocese every Sunday and on major feast days.
Symbols and Traditions
Bishops have a Coat of Arms, choosing symbols appropriate to themselves and their diocese. They also wear a crosier (a shepherd's staff), a mitre (triangular headgear), a pectoral cross (a large ornamental cross worn as a necklace), a ring (worn on the third finger of the right hand), and a zucchetto (a purple skullcap).
Bishops must live in their diocese for most of the year and regularly visit each part of it. They are obliged to be present at their cathedral during Lent and Advent, and on the feasts of Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, and Corpus Christi. Every five years, they must send a report to Rome and visit the Pope, as well as the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
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The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI)
The CCBI is not an episcopal conference as prescribed in canon law. Instead, it resembles the 'assembly of bishops' described in the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. Despite this technicality, the CCBI serves as the public face of the Catholic Church in India. It addresses issues of national importance and those that transcend ritualistic boundaries. The Conference includes all diocesan and eparchial bishops in India, as well as co-adjutor and auxiliary bishops. Retired bishops and other titular bishops who are not ordinary members but reside in India are considered honorary members.
The CCBI is committed to facilitating coordinated study and discussion of matters affecting the Church. It also works to adopt a unified policy and effective action on issues concerning the common interests of the Catholic Church in India. The Conference undertakes various activities related to youth, healthcare, and media. It is an essential platform for Latin Catholic Bishops to exchange ideas, deliberate on broad church concerns, and address the pastoral needs of the faithful.
The CCBI is guided by the Gospel and the love of Christ in its endeavours to strengthen the fabric of diverse communities. It is an integral part of the Catholic Church's heritage in India, particularly within the Latin Rite community, which is characterised by its rich traditions and diversity. The CCBI's efforts extend to the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches, which are in full communion with the Vatican. These churches have their own bishops' conferences, as directed by Pope John Paul II in 1987.
The CCBI is a member of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences and has a presence in various regions across India, including Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, and the North-Eastern states. It also encompasses major archdioceses such as Bombay, Calcutta, and Delhi. The CCBI expressed joy and happiness at the election of Pope Leo XIV and pledged its loyalty and allegiance to the new Pope.
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Catholic Bishops of India: demographics and statistics
The Catholic Church in India is organised into various dioceses, each headed by a bishop. The total number of Latin Catholic bishops in the country is 192, including both active and retired bishops. This includes 3 cardinals, 22 archbishops, 104 bishops, 1 co-adjutor bishop, 9 auxiliary bishops, 4 diocesan administrators, and 61 bishops emeriti.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) is a national episcopal body that facilitates the exchange of ideas and information among the Latin Catholic Bishops of the country. It is one of the four largest bishops' conferences in the world, with 132 dioceses and 192 members.
The Catholic Bishops of India include a diverse range of individuals, such as Bishop Jose Porunnedom of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Mananthavady, Auxiliary Bishop Alex Tharamangalam of the same diocese, and Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Thamarassery. There are also bishops like Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Mandya and Metropolitan Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur.
Additionally, there are several cardinals in India, including Mar George Jacob Cardinal Koovakkad, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, and Oswald Cardinal Gracias. These cardinals hold significant positions within the Catholic Church, such as prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue or Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Bombay.
The Catholic Bishops of India also include a number of archbishops, such as Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India, and Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Thottunkal, Major Archbishop of Trivandrum and Head of the Malankara Catholic Church. There are also auxiliary bishops like Geevarghese Aprem Kurisummoottil of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam and Mathews Polycarpos Manakkarakavil of the Syro-Malankara Major Archeparchy of Trivandrum.
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Catholic Bishops of India: historical context
The Catholic Bishops of India form the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), a National Episcopal Body that facilitates the exchange of ideas and information among the Latin Catholic Bishops of the country. The CCBI is one of the four largest Bishops' Conferences in the world, with 132 dioceses and 192 active and retired bishop members.
The history of Christianity in India goes back to the very early days of the faith. It is believed that St. Thomas the Apostle first introduced Christianity to the region in 52 AD. The earliest evidence of Christian communities in India, however, dates back to the 4th century, when a group of Christians, possibly led by Thomas, arrived on the Malabar Coast in modern-day Kerala. This community, known as the Syro-Malabar Church, is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world and has a long history of interaction with Indian culture and religions.
Over the centuries, the Catholic Church in India grew and flourished, with the arrival of European missionaries and the establishment of dioceses and parishes. The Portuguese arrival in the 15th century was a significant event in the history of Indian Catholicism, as they brought with them a strong Catholic presence and established many churches and missions. The Catholic Church in India was initially under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Lisbon, but as the faith spread and dioceses were established, the need for a more localized structure arose.
The establishment of the CCBI in 1944 was a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church in India. It provided a platform for the Latin Catholic Bishops to come together, deliberate on common concerns, and coordinate their pastoral and evangelization efforts. The CCBI has been instrumental in shaping the Catholic Church in India and has played a crucial role in addressing social and cultural issues, as well as promoting ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.
Today, the Catholic Church in India continues to play an important role in the religious and cultural life of the country. The CCBI, with its large membership and influence, is a significant force in shaping the Catholic community's response to contemporary issues and challenges. The Catholic Bishops of India, through their historical context and ongoing efforts, have contributed to the rich tapestry of Indian Christianity and continue to guide and inspire their flocks.
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Catholic Bishops of India: regional distribution
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) is a National Episcopal Body that enables Latin Catholic Bishops to exchange ideas and information, deliberate on the Church's concerns, and address the pastoral needs of the faithful. It is one of the four largest Bishops' Conferences globally, with 132 dioceses and 192 active and retired bishop members.
The total number of Latin Bishops in India is 190, including Cardinals (3), Archbishops (22), Bishops (104), Co-adjutor Bishops (1), Auxiliary Bishops (9), Diocesan Administrators (4), and Bishops Emeriti (61).
The Latin Catholic Church in India is administratively organized into ecclesiastical provinces, each consisting of a metropolitan archdiocese and several suffragan dioceses. As of 2022, there are 30 ecclesiastical provinces in India, with the most recent one being the Province of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, erected by Pope Francis in 2021.
West Bengal
- Bishop Etienne-Auguste-Joseph-Louis Bardou, M.E.P. †, Bishop of Coimbatore
- Bishop Matthew Baroi, S.D.B. †, Bishop of Krishnagar
Karnataka
- Bishop Abbondio Cavadini, S.J. †, Bishop of Mangalore
- Archbishop Bernard of St Theresa (Giuseppe) Baccinelli, O.C.D. †, Vicar Apostolic of Verapoly
- Bishop Nicolas Champenois, M.E.P. †, Superior of Karnatic Mission/Pondicherry
- Bishop Auguste-Marie-Augustin Chapuis, M.E.P. †, Bishop Emeritus of Kumbakonam
Kerala
- Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath, Bishop of Mandya (Syro-Malabar)
- Bishop Jose Porunnedom of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Mananthavady
- Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Thamarassery
- Bishop Vincent Paulos Kulapuravilai of the Syro-Malankara Eparchy of Marthandom
- Bishop Joshua Ignathios Kizhakkeveettil of the Syro-Malankara Eparchy of Mavelikara
Tamil Nadu
- Archbishop Justin Diraviam †, Archbishop Emeritus of Madurai
- Bishop Etienne-Louis Charbonnaux, M.E.P. †, Vicar Apostolic of Mysore
- Bishop Peter Michael Chenaparampil †, Bishop Emeritus of Alleppey
Andhra Pradesh
- Archbishop Thumma Bala †, Archbishop Emeritus of Hyderabad
- Bishop Pudhota Chinniah Balaswamy †, Bishop Emeritus of Nellore
Telangana
Bishop Anthony Poola, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad
These lists are not exhaustive, and there are Catholic Bishops in India from various other regions and communities, including the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 192 active and retired Catholic bishops in India.
There are 190 Latin Catholic bishops in India.
The CCBI is a National Episcopal Body that enables the Latin Catholic Bishops of India to exchange ideas and information, deliberate on the Church's broad concerns, and take care of the pastoral needs of the faithful. It is one of the four biggest Bishops' Conferences in the world, with 132 dioceses and 192 active and retired bishop members.
The Catholic Church in India has various roles for bishops, including Archbishops, Cardinals, Auxiliary Bishops, Co-Adjutors, Curia Bishops, Apostolic Visitators, Apostolic Administrators, Diocesan Administrators, and Bishops Emeriti.
Some notable Catholic bishops in India include Bishop Jose Porunnedom of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Mananthavady, Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Mandya, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India, and Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop of Trivandrum.
