FORMATION OF THE DIOCESE OF GULBARGA,

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI announced the creation of the new Diocese of Gulbarga comprising of the threeDistricts of North Karnataka (Bidar, Gulbarga and Bijapur) on 24th June 2005. He also appointed Mons.Robert Michael Miranda, the Episcopal Vicar for Bidar Mission of Mangalore Diocese, a pioneer missionary and a worthy pastor as the first bishop of the new Diocese. The Diocese of Gulbarga was carved out of the three Dioceses: Hyderabad, Belgaum, and Bellary. Thousands of faithful and hundreds of Priests and Religious along with nine Bishops graced the Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev. Dr. Robert Miranda on Thursday, 18th August 2005 at 9.30 a.m, in St. Joseph Convent School Auditorium, Gulbarga. The Diocese of Gulbarga was thus formally inaugurated. His Grace Most Rev. Pedro Lopez Quintana, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, assisted by His Grace Most Rev. Bernard Moras the Archbishop of Bangalore, and His Excellency Most Rev. Aloysius Paul D'Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore conferred the Episcopal Ordination.