Dear Friend it gives us immense pleasure to welcome you to the official website of the Diocese of Calcutta, Church of North India. Through this website we have tried our best to highlight the various programmes and activities of our Diocese. We have tried to lay down a bit of our rich 207 year old history as well as talk about the present day.
You will get an idea of the areas we are working in, our different Churches, Schools and other Institutions, our events & highlights, our presbyters and Bishops. Do visit our gallery section, which will give you a photographic view of who, where and how we are. We hope that this website does enough justice to you, its dear viewer… God Bless you.
THE RT. REVD. DR. PARITOSH CANNING, BISHOP OF CALCUTTA, CNI.
The Rt. Revd. Dr. Paritosh Canning spent his childhood in an orphanage under the Oxford Mission. He remembers his childhood as being nothing extraordinary – attending the ‘Mass’ every Sunday morning and also preparing the table for the Fathers to celebrate the same.As a passionate violinist he was a part of the Oxford Mission Orchestra, Calcutta Chamber Orchestra and Calcutta Youth Orchestra. In 1989, no sooner he took up employment in the secular field, he was called by the Brotherhood of the Epiphany, Oxford Mission to join the Monastery as the youngest Indian Member. He was ordained as a Priest in 1995. In the year 1997, the Brotherhood was discontinued and he joined The Diocese of Calcutta, CNI. He continues to play the violin and piano even today at his leisure or when the occasion demands.
The Rt. Revd. Dr. Paritosh Canning has held various other responsibilities in the Diocese and grew in stature and leadership – personal qualities and competence which include good interpersonal skills, a high level of I.T. competence, the ability to deal with delicate and sensitive matters in a professional manner, has a capacity to work in a close-knit team; at ease in a role that has its nature of self-effecting. He his dynamic and popularly known as the “Peoples’ Bishop” – as he always expressed himself to be.
He served as the Vice-Chairman in the Board of Governors of many Diocesan Institutions and was deeply concerned with the well-being of the Institutions. He has a special involvement with the Schools and cherishes a vision to raise the standard of the schools– “sky high”. A very close friend, guide, a true confidante – to be more apt, “The Shepherd to the School”.
In 1994, he was ordained as a Deacon in the Diocese of Calcutta and ordained a Presbyter in the year 1995. In 1999, he joined the Diocese of Calcutta as a full-time Minister. He shouldered many responsibilities in the Parishes and Institutions of the Diocese. On 8th July, 2018, he was consecrated as a Bishop in the Church of North India and installed as the 5th Bishop of the Diocese of Barrackpore. On 10th June, 2019, he was transferred to the Diocese of Calcutta to be appointed as the Bishop of Calcutta and the installation ceremony was held on 11th June, 2019, with additional charge as Moderator’s Episcopal Commissary to the Diocese of Barrackpore, CNI. On 23rd January, 2022 after the installation of The Rt. Revd. Subrata Chakraborty as the Bishop of Barrackpore, CNI; Bishop Dr. Paritosh Canning was given the additional charge as Moderator’s Episcopal Commissary to the Diocese of Eastern Himalaya, CNI on 24th January, 2022.
The C.N.I. Diocese of Calcutta is a renowned and a much revered spiritual, philanthropic organization whose name and fame surpasses all barriers. Bishop Dr. Canning took up the reins of the Diocese of Calcutta with a view to connecting with the people of the Diocese, deepening his working relationship with his Clergy and addressing the needs of the community at large.
By the Grace of God, recognition has been given to his Ministry of reaching out to the underprivileged and the downtrodden in society. He has received the following awards which have encouraged him to continue with the good work for the Kingdom of God:
Mother Teresa International Award 2019
Mahatma Gandhi Samman 2019
Outstanding Award for Educational Excellence 2020
Doctorate in Philosophy in the specialized area of Divinity 2020
Certificate of Appreciation – Covid 19 Warrior Award 2020
Buddha Peace Award 2021 in Collaboration with Myanmar Embassy The Rt. Revd. Dr. Paritosh Canning has set a benchmark by achieving the unachieved and leading by example through his humility, pragmatism, visionary leadership and pursuit of justice and peace above all else.