The Karnataka Central Diocese (KCD), along with Dornakal Diocese, both in the Church of South India, were the first international partnerships formed by the Diocese of Gloucester in 2001.
KCD is centred in the city of Bengaluru (previously called Bangalore) on the Deccan plateau in Karnataka State. Bengaluru is well known as the software centre of SE Asia and the home to many hi-tech companies. The Church of South India is well established there and based both in the city and in the outer areas, a number of which are much poorer, including the Kola Gold Fields (where the mines all closed some years ago).
Bengaluru is a large bustling city, geographically half the size of London, with a population of 15 million residents, with huge contrasts within it. Modern buildings and multi-national corporations are often only a street apart from roadside shanty dwellers. The main language is Kanada, with Tamil a close second and some Malayalam, Hindi and Telugu also spoken. As a result, even the auto-rickshaw drivers speak a little English as a common tongue.
A major aspect of the church’s ministry is education, to both the poorest and more affluent and, along with this, there are a number of hostels and homes for orphaned or disadvantaged children.
The diocesan vision is: Restore. Regenerate. Re-imagine.
Bishop Rachel in Bangalore
There are two church hospitals, both with nursing schools, which have been a central part of their work in the past. The growth of government responsibility for health care provision is leading to a rethinking of the church’s role in this area.
There is a very strong working relationship between our two dioceses, which has resulted in many visits, each way, by bishops, clergy and young people.
If you would like to know more, then please contact the Diocesan Link Officer:
