Patron : Bishop Philip Ekka
Address : Pastoral Centre, Byron Bazar Raipur, 492001, C.G.
The long-cherished desire of late Bishop Most Rev. Philip Ekka to have a clergy home in Raipur was materialized when the Pastoral Centre was inaugurated in October 1996. It was Bishop Philip’s idea that there should be a Centre at Raipur for the co-ordination of all pastoral activities and ministries. Thus he managed to get some fund for the construction of the Pastoral Centre. The construction began in 1992 under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Joseph Narikuzhi then finances administrator of the Diocese of Raipur. Rev. Fr. Thomas Naramvelil was appointed the first director of the Pastoral Centre in 1995, and he ensured meticulous planning to get the newly constructed building of the Pastoral Centre inaugurated in the month of October 1996. His Grace Most Rev. Joseph Augustine, then Bishop of Raipur inaugurated and blessed the Pastoral Centre. Rev. Fr. Thomas Naramvelil continued to be its director until July 1997 and handed over his charge to Rev. Fr. Thomas Vadakedath in July 1997. Rev. Fr. John Ponnore was the next director who took charge in June 1998 till he handed over the charge to the next Director Rev. Fr. Cyriac Kattuparambil in June 2002. June 2003, Rev. Fr. Joby Kalarickal took over as its new Director. After Rev. Fr. Joby Kalarickal, once again Rev. Fr. Thomas Vadakedath was brought in to be its next Director in 2009. Rev. Fr. John Ponnore is the present Director from June 2012 till date. Various Pastoral and Faith Formation programs are held. This Centre is also made available to other church / non-church based NGOs for various programs. It is a Centre for Priests and Sisters working in the Diocese when they come to Raipur