In June 1951, by taking over parts of the Archdioceses of Calcutta, Ranchi and Nagpur this mission territory was culled out and a new diocese was officially crated. The new diocese comprised four civil districts of Orissa i.e. Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Bolangir and Dhenkanal and had an area of 46964 Sq. kms. The Catholics consisted mainly of four tribal groups of Chhotanagpur Khadias, Kisans, Mundas, Oraons. Msgr. Herman Westermann was appointed the new bishop of Sambalpur and was consecrated on July 22, 1951. The area was then very primitive with no communication facilities and with very little educational facilities. Bishop started his task of building up the diocese with five parishes, 65000 Catholics, 20 SVD priests and 23 sisters In June 1951, by taking over parts of the Archdioceses of Calcutta, Ranchi and Nagpur this mission territory was culled out and a new diocese was officially crated. The new diocese comprised four civil districts of Orissa i.e. Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Bolangir and Dhenkanal and had an area of 46964 Sq. kms. The Catholics consisted mainly of four tribal groups of Chhotanagpur Khadias, Kisans, Mundas, Oraons. Msgr. Herman Westermann was appointed the new bishop of Sambalpur and was consecrated on July 22, 1951. The area was then very primitive with no communication facilities and with very little educational facilities. Bishop started his task of building up the diocese with five parishes, 65000 Catholics, 20 SVD priests and 23 sisters In June 1951, by taking over parts of the Archdioceses of Calcutta, Ranchi and Nagpur this mission territory was culled out and a new diocese was officially crated. The new diocese comprised four civil districts of Orissa i.e. Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Bolangir and Dhenkanal and had an area of 46964 Sq. kms. The Catholics consisted mainly of four tribal groups of Chhotanagpur Khadias, Kisans, Mundas, Oraons. Msgr. Herman Westermann was appointed the new bishop of Sambalpur and was consecrated on July 22, 1951. The area was then very primitive with no communication facilities and with very little educational facilities. Bishop started his task of building up the diocese with five parishes, 65000 Catholics, 20 SVD priests and 23 sisters
