Tuticorin [Thoothukudi], Diocese of

TUTICORIN [THOOTHUKUDI], Diocese of. - Located in south-eastern India, it faces the Gulf of Mannar (ancient Pescaria or Pearl Fishery Coast) in the sea that separates India from the island of Ceylon.

Erected on 12 June 1923, with territory detached from the diocese of Trichinopoly (now Tiruchirapally); by the Additional Convention of 29 June 1929 between the Holy See and Portugal, 5 parishes of the diocese of St. Thomas of Meliapor were united to it. It is entrusted to the Indian clergy. Over an area of 6,400 sq km it counts 2,100,000 inhabitants, of whom 117,107 are Catholics, 70,200 Protestants, 25,000 Muslims, 1,350,000 Hindus. The Catholic priests number 78, of whom 72 are indigenous diocesan priests and 5 are religious. The clergy is assisted by 16 Brothers of the Sacred Heart (a diocesan institute originating in Madhurai) and 17 Rosarian Brothers and by about 260 sisters, almost all indigenous. There is also a minor seminary. Ecclesiastically the diocese is divided into 4 rural deaneries, 48 parishes and 356 secondary stations (1952 statistics). It has 300 catechists; 686 male teachers and 240 female teachers. Charitable works: 1 hospital, 3 recently founded leprosaria, 7 orphanages, 1 almshouse. The confraternities, sodalities and associations of Catholic Action are flourishing. The diocese also possesses a printing press where the newspaper Guatathutha is printed, which is fairly widely circulated.

Pompeo Borgna