Pope creates new diocese of Sylhet in Bangladesh

(July 08, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday created a new diocese in Bangladesh appointing a bishop to it. The new diocese of Sylhet in north-east Bangladesh has been created from territories of Dhaka Archdiocese, and Oblate of Mary Immaculate Bishop Bejoy Nicephorus D’Cruze of Khulna has been appointed its first bishop. With an area of nearly 15,500 sqkm, the jurisdiction of Sylhet extends over the civil districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj and Moulibazar, that are home to 8.2 million people. Some 17,000 Catholics in the 6 parishes of the new diocese are cared for by 21 priests 30 nuns and 95 catechists. The parish church of Lokhipur, 100 km from Sylhet, will temporarily serve as the cathedral of the new diocese.