Diocese of Karwar
Rite: Latin
Region : Karnataka
Patron: St. Joseph
Founded: 24 January 1976
Province: Bangalore
Status: Diocese
Total area: 10,291 sq. km.
Total Population : 13,53,000
Catholics Total: 45,608
Diocesan Priests: 127
Religious Priests: 17
Religious Sisters: 0
Minor Seminarians: 0
Major Seminarians: 0
Diocese of Karwar at a Glance
Ecclesiastical Institutions
| Parishes & Substations | : 69 | Retreat Centres | : 01 |
| Major Seminaries | : 0 | Diocesan Minor Seminaries | : 0 |
| Congregation Minor Seminaries | : 0 | Religious Formation Houses | : 04 |
| Men Religious Houses | : 0 | Women Religious Houses | : 0 |
| Hospitals | : 04 | Dispensaries / Clinics / Health Centres | : 09 |
| Orphanages | : 04 | Homes for Aged & Destitute | : 0 |
| Schools for Physically Challenged | : 03 | Homes for Physically Challenged | : 0 |
| Crèches | : 0 | Boarding Houses | : 0 |
| Counselling Centres | : 0 | De-addiction Centre | : 02 |
| Social Centres | : 07 | HIV / AIDS Centre | : 0 |
| Professional Colleges | : 04 | Degree Colleges | : 03 |
| Parallel Colleges | : 0 | Vocational / Technical Training Centres | : 04 |
| Higher Secondary / Junior Colleges | : 05 | High Schools | : 17 |
| Upper Primary Schools | : 04 | Lower Primary Schools | :02 |
| Nurseries / Pre-Primary Schools | :02 | Presses & Media Centres | : 01 |
The Diocese, comprising the whole civil district of Uttara Kannada, was carved out from Belgaum diocese and erected as the Diocese of Karwar by the Decree 'Christi Missum" of Pope Paul VI dated January 24, 1976.
Bp William Leonard D'Mello was appointed First Bishop of Karwar by an Apostolic Bull dated January 24, 1976. He was ordained and installed as the First Bishop of Karwar on April 29, 1977. He served the diocese of Karwar for 30 year with great pastoral care.
| Name | Designation | Period |
| Most Rev. William Leonard D'Mello | Bishop | 1976-2007 |
|