Delhi and Simla [Shimla], Archdiocese of

DELHI AND SIMLA [SHIMLA], Archdiocese of. - In 1910, with territory detached from the archdiocese of Agra and in part from the diocese of Lahore, the archdiocese of S. was erected, which was entrusted to the Capuchins. In 1937, following the requests of Indian Catholics, desirous of seeing the capital of India as the seat of a Catholic prelate, the city of D. with its surroundings was also incorporated into it, likewise detached from Agra, and to the circumscription thus enlarged the name archdiocese of D. and S. was given.

It has an area of 100,051 sq. km. The population amounts to about 7 million inhabitants, of whom barely 8 thousand are Catholics. Protestants reach more or less the same figure. The smallness of the number of Catholics must be attributed to the little development given so far to the work of conversion among the pagans and to the exodus of the English and Anglo-Indian element, which occurred after the constitution of the new independent State of India. Almost all of the inhabitants are composed of Hindus; there is also a fair number of Mohammedans. Working there altogether are 12 English Capuchins, 3 Indians, 1 Irishman and 3 native priests. About ten brothers of the Christian Schools attend to teaching. About 50 nuns, almost all foreigners, occupy themselves with schools and charitable works. The archdiocese is divided into 12 districts, 12 primary stations and 57 secondary stations.

Pompeo Borgna