A Brief History of the Diocese: Arunachal had the first encounter with Christianity with the coming of the French Missionaries Krick and Bourry who were martyred in Somme Village in Lohit District in 1854. The arrival of Salesian Missionaries in Assam latter in 1921 was a landmark in the history of the Church as Religious and educational institutions of the Church gradually welcomed the people of Arunachal to a new life of faith and all-round development. Fr. Job Kallarackal SDB pioneered missionary work in Tirap from the Parish at Naharkatia, Assam. After him Fr. George Pallipparambil SDB, now Bishop of the Diocese of Miao took up the reins. His first appointment as the Rector of Bosco Bible School (BBS) at Tinsukia, brought him closer to the Arunachal apostolate. BBS trained youth leaders and catechists of Arunachal, who later became zealous lay evangelizers. In fact they sowed the seeds of Catholic faith in Arunachal. As of today, the Catholic population of East Arunachal is about 83,500. Pope Benedict XVI erected the diocese of Miao on December 7, 2005 with Rev. George Pallipparambil SDB, as its first Bishop. Since then the Diocese has grown leaps and bounds. The number of schools and hostels, training centres, primary health centres, and Churches are a testimony to the growth of the Church in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

 

DIOCESE OF MIAO AT A GLANCE

Origin	07.12.2005
Patron	Christ the Light
Total Area	43,955 sq.km
Districts Covered	Anjawo, Changlang, Dibang Valley, Longding, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, and Tirap
Total Population	4,80,120
Catholics	83,500
Parishes and Mission Stations	33
Diocesan Priests	27
Religious Priests	60
Religious Brothers	3
Religious Fathers	122
Presbyterys	32
Formation House	1
Primary Schools	27
High Schools	6
Primary Health Centers	15
Diocesan Voice	News Beam
Website	www.miaodiocese.com