Khulna

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Diocese of Khulna
BISHOP : Most Rev. Michael A. D' Rozario, CSC. DD
Date and place of Birth :  November 23, 1925
   Nayansree, Dhaka
Ordained Priest :  June 10, 1953, U.C.A.
Elected Bishop :  September 13, 1970
Consecrated Bishop :  December 13, 1970 ( Khulna )
Address :  Bishop's House
   Sonadanga Main Road
   Khulna-9000.
Phone :  (041) 730569
Patroness of the Diocese :  Mary Assumed into Heaven
Area :  28, 236 sq.km. ( 10,905sq. Miles).
The Diocese of Khulna has under its Jurisdiction the 
Civil Districts of : Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat,
Kushtia, Chuadanga, Meherpur, Jessore, Jhenidah,
Norail, magura, Faridpur, and part of Gopalganj
Total Population :  14,717,000            
Catholics :  26,289
Languages spoken :  Bengali & English
BRIEF HISTORY : The Diocese of Khulna was canonically erected on Jan. 3,1952. as the Diocese  of Jessore, With parts taken from the Archdiocese of Calcutta and the Diocese of Krishnagar, Both in India. In this region the Foreign Missionaries of Milan (PIME) had begun their apostolate in 1855. Actually in 1856. Fr. Antonio Marietti, PIME, arrived in Jessore. From 1927 to 1952, the Salesian Missionaries worked in this territory. However, Satkhira parish was under the Jesuits from Calcutta During that period. 
On June 14, 1956 the Episcopal See was transferred from jessore to the larger city of Khulna and since then this has been called the Diocese of Khulan. The newly created Diocese was entrusted to the St. Francis Xavier foreign Mission Society (SX), popularly known as the " Xaverian Fathers''.  Of special historical interest is Iswaripur, which is fifty miles south of Satkhira town. At this place was located the first ever Christian Church structure, dedicated by the Jesuits on January 1, 1600 under the title of "The Church of the Holy name of Jesus". At present only the ruins of this Church remain. There was no other Christian Church in the area comprising the present Khulna Diocese until the arrival of the PIME Missionaries in 1856. Then the first church was at Jessore (1856). Other early churches are those at Shimulia (1859), Bhobarpara (1866), Malgazi of Shelabunia parish (1870) and Khulna City (1873). 

Former Bishop
Rt. Rev. Dante C. Battaglierin, S.X.       1952-1969