Latin Church
Author: Jobi Varghese Date: September 11, 2005The Latin Church is spread all over the world, and represents all but a little of the Roman Catholic Church's population.
Of the nearly 1.1 billion (110 crore or 1100 million) Roman Catholics, the Latin Church's strength is more than 90 percent or above 1 billion.
The next two largest churches are the Ukrainian Church with a population of about 4.5 million and the Syro-Malabar Church with a strength of nearly 4 million. Both these churches are Oriental (Eastern Rite) in worship and traditions.
Latin Christianity in India
The present Latin Church in India had its origin from the missionary work of the Western missionaries. In 1534, the diocese of Goa was established. St Francis Xavier, Robert De Nobili, and Constant Lievens were a few dominant missionaries. In 1886, the Indian Latin hierarchy was established.
The Christian mission among the Tribals, Dalits, and backward classes of India is one of the main factors for their awakening and the formation of political movements and organizations to fight for their legitimate rights and justice.
Population in India (Approximate figures)
Total Christian population - 28 million
Latin Catholics - 14 million
Latin Catholics in Kerala - 2 million
Dioceses and Archdioceses
Latin : 118 (22 Archdioceses)
The first Latin diocese in Kerala was established in 1330 as the Diocese of Kollam.
In 1534, Diocese of Goa was established.
1558: Diocese of Cochin
1542: Francis Xavier, one of the famous European missionaries, arrived in Goa.
The main centres for Latin Catholics in the 16th century were Kochi, Kannur, and Kozhikkode.
|
Catholic Church |
|
Index |
|
|
Structure of the Catholic Church |
|
|
Latin Catholic Church |
|
|
Oriental Catholic Churches |
|
|
Syro-Malankara Catholic Church |
Copyright © 2005, SyroMalabar.com. All rights reserved.
|
www.syromalabar.com - A Website on the Syro-Malabar Church
THE CHURCH | DIOCESES | PARISHES | CHURCHES | PRAYERS | LYRICS
|
