The diocese of Shamshabad was erected on 10th October 2017 by His Holiness Pope Francis. The new diocese was inagurated on 7th January 2018. Pope appointed Mar Raphael Thattil as the first bishop of Shamshabad. It is the largest diocese in India. Diocese of Shamshabad shares its boundary with 75 dioceses. The eparchy is dedicated to St. Thomas, the apostle and its co patron is St. John Paul II. Shamshabad diocese covers 23 states and 4 union territoires including 2 islands