Dacca [Dhaka], Diocese of

DACCA [DHAKA], Diocese of. - It is a suffragan of Calcutta and is entrusted to the Congregation of the Holy Cross. It measures 44,485 sq. km. in area with a population of 18 million inhabitants, of whom 13,610,000 are Muslims, 4,300,000 are pagans, 35,000 are Catholics and 12,000 are Protestants. It derives from the former apostolic vicariate of Eastern Bengal. On September 1, 1886 it was erected as a diocese. By the additional Convention between the Holy See and Portugal (June 29, 1929), 4 parishes of the diocese of St. Thomas of Meliapore were annexed to the diocese of D.

It is situated in eastern Pakistan (East Bengal) and comprises the civil districts of D., Pubna, Mymensing, Tipperah and the small former independent State of Hill Tipperah. Thirty priests work there, together with 15 brothers of the Congregation of the Holy Cross and 25 native priests. About 20 students study in the minor seminary, and others study in the major seminary of Ranchi. There are 22 parishes. There are still about 50 foreign sisters and as many Indian ones in the schools and charitable institutions: one hospital, 8 orphanages, one nursery and many dispensaries; there are 100 catechists, 37 women catechists, 186 male teachers and 107 female teachers, and more than 10,000 pupils in the various schools. Conversions reach about five hundred a year. It borders on the dioceses of Chittagong, Krishnagar, Dinajpur and Shillong.

Pompeo Borgna