Diocese of Ambikapur
Rite: Latin
Region : Chhattisgarh
Patron: Immaculate Mother of God
Founded: 10 November 1977
Province: Raipur
Status: Diocese
Total area: 22,337 sq. kms
Total Population : 25,80,000
Catholics Total: 91,729
Diocesan Priests: 102
Religious Priests: 52
Religious Sisters: 390
Minor Seminarians: 0
Major Seminarians: 0
Diocese of Ambikapur at a Glance
Ecclesiastical Institutions
| Parishes & Substations | : 51 | Retreat Centres | : 0 |
| Major Seminaries | : 0 | Diocesan Minor Seminaries | : 0 |
| Congregation Minor Seminaries | : 0 | Religious Formation Houses | : 06 |
| Men Religious Houses | : 0 | Women Religious Houses | : 0 |
| Hospitals | : 01 | Dispensaries / Clinics / Health Centres | : 49 |
| Orphanages | : 0 | Homes for Aged & Destitute | : 0 |
| Schools for Physically Challenged | : 02 | Homes for Physically Challenged | : 0 |
| Crèches | : 0 | Boarding Houses | : 0 |
| Counselling Centres | : 0 | De-addiction Centre | : 0 |
| Social Centres | : 08 | HIV / AIDS Centre | : 0 |
| Professional Colleges | : 01 | Degree Colleges | : 02 |
| Parallel Colleges | : 01 | Vocational / Technical Training Centres | : 25 |
| Higher Secondary / Junior Colleges | : 18 | High Schools | : 18 |
| Upper Primary Schools | : 55 | Lower Primary Schools | :56 |
| Nurseries / Pre-Primary Schools | :41 | Presses & Media Centres | : 0 |
Already in the time of the great pioneer, Fr Constant Lievens, sj, (approx. 1890) delegates from Surguja went 200 kms on foot to Ranchi and begged to be instructed, catechized and begged to get catechists and to be visited by a Priest regularly. But the feudal rulers persecuted those who had been instructed and neither catechists nor a Priest could be sent.
In the beginning of 1948 the feudal states merged into India and the few Catholics who had settled in Surguja were joined by many who came from Jashpur and Barway in search of land, jobs and livelihood. Missionaries came to visit these settlers. From Kanjia in Bihar, Jodhpur was started in 1947. Four other mission stations: Ambika, Banea, Ratasili and Shantipara (Basen) were established in 1952. As the Independence dawned Christianity saw the light brighter and brighter.
The Diocese of Ambikapur was erected on December 14, 1977 by dismemberment form Raigarh-Ambikapur diocese. The diocese is co-extensive with the present civil districts of Surguja and Korea in the northern part of the State of Chhattisgarh.
Right Rev. Patras Minj SJ
Bishop Emeritus of Ambikapur
Personal Details
Born:23-Dec-1944
Priestly Ordination:30-Apr-1977
Episcopal Ordination:18-Oct-1996
Period:--
Tel(P): 09424136255, 08959776323
Email(P): bppatras@gmail.com
Contact Details
Bishop’s House,P. O. Phunduldihari, Surguja Dt.,Ambikapur - 497 110 (Chhattisgarh)
Tel(O): 07774-23 00 63
Fax : 23 09 73 , 23 06 12
Email : bp_ambika@yahoo.co.in
| Name | Designation | Period |
| Most Rev. Pascal Topno, SJ | Bishop | 1985-1994 |
|
| Most Rev. Philip Ekka, SJ | Bishop | 1977-1985 |
|