Diocese of Kurnool at Bishop's House, B.C.A.M.P, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh 518002 IN - Our Diocese History

The Diocese of Kurnool comptises the two civil districts of Kurnool and Anantapur. On June 12th, 1967, with the appointment of Bishop Joseph Rajappa, the first bishop of Kurnool. These two districts were seperated from the diocese of Nellore and formed into the Diocese of Kurnool. The French Jesuits are buried at Krishnapuram in Anantapur District. After the withdrawal of the Jesuits in 1773, the Paris Foriegn Missionary Society took over the missionary task and kept alive the faith of the people. From 1875 onwards, the Mill Hill Fathers also labored in the Western parts of the diocese for some time. MOst Re. Joseph Rajappa, Most Rev. Matthew Cheriankunnel, Most Rev. S. A. Aruliah and Most Rev. G. Johannesw initiated many developmental activities in the fiels of evangelization, education, health and social development. Many religious congregations of men and women have taken up activities in these fields. Bishop Johannes gave a new impetus to the pastoral activities in the diocese. The new parishes of Premagiri, Kosigi, Raptadu, Kodumur Mission, Chapirevula and Bandi Atmakur were established. The Siani Retreat Center at Premagiri, and ST. John's Jubilee Memorial Hall at Pastoral Center are promising evangelization and religious education. St. John's Major Seminary at Dinnedevarapadu, Kurnool, run by the Heralds of the Good New Fathers is another land mark in the history of the Kurnool Diocese. The dreams of Bishop Johannes to have major seminary is now relized. Keeping in mind the call of the Holy Father for "Yesu Christu Jayanti 2000", the diocese of kurnool has launched a padtoral program for "Jubilee 2000" with a special comittie named Yesu Christu Jayanti 2000". All priests, Religious, Catechists and the people at all levels and work for the meaningful celebration "Yesu Christu Jayanti 2000"and its effective follow-up. In order to prepare the priests, religious and the laity, the Diocesan Senate conducted the Diocesan Synod. This will help the Church of Kurnool to plan out pastoral, spiritual and human developmental activities in the diocese. With the Eucharistic Congress, the Jubilee Celebration in the Diocese has been formally concluded.

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