The ecclesiastical unit of Bijnor was created as an Apostolic Exarchate on 23 March 1972 by the Papal Bull “Beatorum Apostolorum” of Pope Paul VI and was entrusted to the Sacred Heart Province of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate for the work
of evangelization and Rev. Fr. Gratian Mundadan CMI was appointed the Apostolic Exarch. The Apostolic Exarchate of Bijnor was bifurcated from the Diocese of Meerut. It consists of the civil districts of Bijnor (excluding the then tehsil of Dhampur), Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi and Chamoli of the then state of Uttar Pradesh.
Later, the district of Haridwar was created, adding parts of Bijnor and Saharanpur and the district of Rudraprayag was created, dividing the district of Pauri. In 2000, when the new state of Uttarakhand was created, the districts of Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Haridwar became parts of the new state. At present the eparchy of Bijnor consists of the district of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh and districts of Pauri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Tehri, Uttarkashi and a part of Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
Pope Paul VI raised the Apostolic Exarchate of Bijnor to an eparchy by the papal bull “Quaecum Romano” on 26 February 1977 and Apostolic Exarch Gratian Mundadan CMI was appointed its first Bishop.
Most Rev. Gratian Mundadan CMI, the First Bishop of Bijnor
Most Rev. Gratian Mundadan was born on 15 May 1933 in the parish of Puthenpally (later changed to Alangad) in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, Kerala. He made his first profession of religious vows in the Congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) on 16 May 1958. He was ordained a priest on 17 May 1964. While teaching Mathematics at S.H. College, Thevara, Kerala, he was nominated the Apostolic Exarch of Bijnor. He took charge on 25 July 1972. His Holiness Pope Paul VI appointed him Bishop of Bijnor on 26 February 1977. He was ordained bishop on 06 November 1977 by His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Parekattil at Rajagiri, Kalamassery in Kerala. He was installed Bishop of Bijnor on 08 December 1977 by His Grace Rev. Dominic Athaide OFM, Cap., the then Archbishop of Agra. After 38 years of pioneering service in Bijnor, he was relieved from the office on 14 August 2009. Presently, he is residing at St. John’s CMI Provincial House, Najibabad.
Address:
Most Rev. Gratian Mundadan CMI
St. John’s CMI Provincial House
Jalalabad PO, Najibabad, Bijnor Dist.,
Uttar Pradesh-246 763.
E-mail: bishopgratian@gmail.com
Most Rev. John Vadakel CMI, the second Bishop of Bijnor
Most Rev. John Vadakel CMI was born on 17 August 1943 at Beslehem parish in the Diocese of Kothamangalam, Kerala. He made his first religious profession in the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) on 16 May 1964. His philosophical and theological studies were in Dharmaram College, Bangalore. He was ordained a priest on 19 December 1975 by His Excellency Most Rev. Sebastian Mankuzhikary at Sacred Heart Monastery, Thevara, Kerala. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Kerala University, Trivandrum and a Master’s Degree in Sociology from H.N.B.
Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand. He also has taken a Master’s Degree in Spirituality and Counseling from Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore. He spent most of his priestly life in the diocese of Bijnor. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI nominated him as the second Bishop of Bijnor on 14 August 2009. He was ordained and installed Bishop of Bijnor by Most Rev. Gratian Mundadan CMI, Bishop Emeritus of Bijnor, at St. Joseph’s School Ground, Kotdwar on 22 October 2009. Bishop John shepherded the diocese for almost 10 years and on 30 October 2019, he was relieved of his duties. Presently, he is residing at Santhom Ashram, Khatauli, in the diocese of Meerut.
Address: Most Rev. John Vadakell CMI
Santhom Ashram, G.T. Road, Khatauli
Muzaffarnagar Distt., Uttar Pradesh – 251201
Email: johnvadakel75@gmail.com
Most Rev. Vincent Nellaiparambil, Bishop of Bijnor
Most Rev. Bp. Vincent Nellaiparambil was born on 30 May 1971 in Arippalam, and grew up in Thottippal, Mulangue, Trichur, Kerala.He belongs to St John’s Forane Church, Parappukkara, Trichur District in the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda. He entered eparchy of Bijnor as a minor seminarian and attended St Joseph’s Minor Seminary in Kotdwar until 1990. After completing his Philosophical studies at St Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Allahabad (Prayagraj), he was sent for regency at St Stephen’s Church, Chandpur. After the successful completion of his regency, Brother Vincent went back to St Joseph’s Seminary for his theological studies. He then was ordained a Priest on 8 April, 1999 at his home parish by Most Rev. Gratian Mundadan CMI, the first Bishop of Bijnor. Soon after, he was appointed in various Mission Stations of the Diocese as Priest In- charge. He then left for Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore and then to Belgium (Louvain University) for studies and obtained a Licentiate in Systematic Theology, in 2008. Upon his return, he was appointed Rector of the Diocesan Minor Seminary, Kotdwar and Formation Coordinator of the Diocese. From 2012 to 2017, he served as a Resident Staff at St Joseph’s Regional Seminary, Allahabad. Then he came back to the diocese and was appointed Priest in-charge of Mary Matha Church, Chinyalisaur in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. He was appointed the third Bishop of Bijnor on 30 August 2019. He was installed as Bishop on 1 November 2019 by Major Archbishop George Alanchery at St Joseph’s School
Campus, Kotdwar. His Coat of Arms is, “For God and Humanity through Love”.
Address:
Most Rev. Vincent Nellaiparambil Bishop’s House, P. B. No. 1, Kotdwar PO Pauri-Garhwal Distt.,
Uttarakhand – 246 149
Email: vincentnellai@gmail.com
A
Bishop: Bishop Most Rev. Vincent Nellaiparambil
E-mail: vincentnellai@gmail.com
Protosyncellus (VG): Fr. George Thekkumcheril
E-mail: vgbijnor@gmail.com
Chancellor: Fr. Shaju Thekkekara
E-mail: shathekkekara@gmail.com
Finance Officer: Fr. Gince Klakkiyil
E-mail: cdbfinanceofficer@gmail.com
Eparchial Curia:
Fr. George Thekkucheril
Fr Shaju Thekkekara
Fr Gince Klakkiyil
College of Consultors:
Fr. George Thekkucheril
Fr. Davis Varayilan CMI
Fr. James Thekkekaithackal
Fr. Johny Thazhathupuram
Fr Shibu Thundathil
Fr. Jose Alukkal
Fr Babu Kannampuzha
Finance Council Fr. George Thekkucheril
Fr. Shaju Thekkekara
Fr Gince Klakkiyil
Finance Co:
Departments and Commissions Evangelization :Fr Benny Thekkekara
Bible & Catechesis :Fr Dauphin Kachiramattom
Liturgy : Fr Jomon Anamthuruthy
Health :Fr Viju Sebastian
Social Work :Fr Babu Kannampuzha
Youth :Fr Jinto Chilangara
Laity & Family Apostolate :Fr Jijo K. Mani
Media & Communications :Fr Joseph Jose
Peace and Justice : Fr Sojan Nellisseril
Ecumenism & Dialogue : Fr Johny Thazhathupuram
Safe Environment Committee : James Thekkekaithackal
Vocation Promoter : Fr Regi Mathew
Formation Coordinator : Fr Jacob Puthenpura
Pontifical Mission Organizations : Fr Shaiju Padikara
Social Communication & PRO : Fr Babu Kannampuzha
Legal Cell : Fr Jose Thekkemuriyil
Director, Ujala Pastoral Centre :Fr Sojan Nellisseril
Director, Sanjo Printing Press :Fr Jerin Klakkiyil
Secretary, Education :Fr Jose Thekkemuriyil
Secretary, Presbyteral Council :Fr Francis K.O.
Editor, Bijnor Bari : Fr Joseph M.J.
Secretary to Bishop :Fr Joshy Pulickal
Diocese Bulletin : Bijnor Bari
E-mail: bijnordiocese@gmail.com
Website : www.bijnordiocese.in
D
Patron: St. Joseph
Area: 28,262 sq.km
Total Population: 41,65,540
Languages: Hindi, Garhwali, Urdu & Punjabi
Catholics: 2800-3000
Mission Centers/ Parishes: 50+
Diocesan Priests: 61
Religious Priests: 35
Minor Seminarians: 15
Major Seminarians: 15
Regents: 03
Religious Sisters: 220
Catechists: 25
Diocesan Minor Seminary: 01
Religious Minor Seminary: 01
Religious Major Seminary: 01
Formation Houses of Women Religious: 04
Men Religious Houses: 08
Women Religious Houses: 54
Pastoral Centre: 01
Publications: 01
Schools
Senior Secondary School: 10
High Schools: 14
Junior High Schools: 03
Primary & Kindergarten: 08
Hospital & Health Care Centers: 08
Boarding Houses: 04
Printing Press: 01
Social Service Centers: 02
Indian Christian Ashrams: 04
Centers for Differently Abled: 04
Research & Dialogue Centre: 01
Historical Milestones of the Diocese
23 March 1972 Erection of Apostolic Exarchate of Bijnor by the papal bull, Beatorum Apostolorum of Pope Paul VI and nomination of Fr. Gratian Mundadan CMI as the Apostolic Exarch of Bijnor.
25 July 1972 Fr. Gratian Mundadan CMI took charge as the Apostolic Exacrh of Bijnor.
26 February 1977 Erection of the Diocese of Bijnor by the Papal Bull Quae Cum Romano of Pope Paul VI and nomination of Apostolic ExarchGratian Mundadan CMI as the first Bishop of Bijnor.
06 November 1977 Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev. Gratian Mundadan CMI
08 December 1977 Installment of Most Rev. Gratian
Mundadan CMI as the first Bishop of Bijnor
18 May 1981 Death of 10 Missionaries in road accident at Satpuli.
24 June 1984 Inauguration of St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary,Padampur.
19 April 1988 Priestly ordination of Fr. James Thekkekaithackal, the first diocesan priest.
26 January 1997 Death of Fr. Peter Moothedan in road accident at Nawada.
05 December 2001 Laying of the foundation stone for St.Joseph’s Cathedral, Kotdwar.
17 February 2002 Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Diocese and of the Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev. Gratian Mundadan CMI.
19 November 2002 Blessing of Ujala Pastoral Centre,Kotdwar.
17 October 2006 Death of Fr Mathew Parackal, the Protosyncellus of the Diocese.
04 June 2008 Priestly Ordination of Fr. Francis Paul Masih,the first native priest of the Diocese (Kalagarh)
14 August 2009 Appointment of Fr. John Vadakel CMI as the second Bishop of Bijnor.
22 October 2009 Episcopal Ordination and Enthronement of Most Rev. John Vadakel CMI.
31 October 2011 Consecration of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Kotdwar.
30 August 2019 Appointment of Fr. Vincent Nellaiparambil as the third Bishop of Bijnor.
1 November 2019 Episcopal Ordination and enthronement of Most Rev. Vincent Nellaiparambil
19 January 2023 Death of Fr Melvin Pallithazhathu in a road accident at Joshimath.
Zones in the Diocese
Bijnor (7) – Bijnor, Chandpur, Haldaur, Kiratpur,
Mandawar, Dayalwala & Timarpur
Bhikkawala (5) – Bhikkawala, Afzalgarh, Dodrajpur,Nagina & Veerbhanwala
Kotdwar (6) – Kotdwar, Balasaur, Laldhang, Padampur, Nimbuchuar & Haldukhata
Gopeshwar (5) – Gopeshwar, Gangol Gaon, Ghat, Goltir & Joshimath
Najibabad (11) – Najibabad, Rajarampur, Jalalabad, Bariya, Kalheri, Kotkadar, Nangal Pithora, Nawada, Amanullapur, Premdham & Nathewaly
New Tehri (5) – New Tehri, Bhagirathipuram, Chamba, Ghansali & Rishkesh
Pauri (6) – Pauri, Baktiyana, Buvakhal, Srinagar, Kilkileshwar, &Pabau
Satpuli (4) – Satpuli, Damdeval, Jaiharikhal & Lansdowne
Uttarkashi (4) – Uttarkashi, Barkot, Chinyalisaur & Purola
Places where our Seminarians Study
St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary
P.O. Box 76, 4-Tashkent Road,
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh- 211001
Ph.: 0532- 2408547, 919453317702
E-mail: josemallahabad@gmail.com
Website: www.stjosephsregionalseminaryald.org
Samanvaya Theology College
P.B. No. 6, Patel Nagar
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh – 462 021
Ph: 0755- 2529163,7049683610
Email: samanvayam@rediffmail.com
St. Francis Xavier Regional Seminary (Masih Vidyapeeth)
Etmadpur PO, Agra
Uttar Pradesh-283 202
Tel.0562 – 2390051, 9412559989
E-mail: mvpagra1997@gmail.com
Vishwajyothi Gurukul
Christ Nagar P.O., Belwariya,
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh-221003
Ph: 0542-2290608, 9415304465
Email: vishwajyotigurukul@gmail.com
Website: www.vjgchristnagar.org