Eparchy of Kothamangalam

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Eparchy of Kothamangalam

കോതമംഗലം രൂപത
Mar George Alencherry at Kothamangalam Cathedral.jpg
Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry at St. George Cathedral, Kothamangalam
Kothamangalam diocese.png
Coat of arms
Location
CountryFlag of India.svg India
Ecclesiastical province Ernakulam-Angamaly
Statistics
Area4,840 km2 (1,870 sq mi)
Population
  • Total
  • Catholics
  • (as of 2011)
  • 885,320
  • 231,300 (29.3%)
Parishes120
Schools175
Information
Denomination Catholic Church
Sui iuris church Syro-Malabar Church
Rite East Syriac Rite
Established29 July 1956
CathedralSt. George Cathedral, Kothamangalam, Kerala
Patron saint Immaculate Heart of Mary
Secular priests 543
Current leadership
Pope Leo XIV
Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil
BishopGeorge Madathikandathil
Vicar GeneralMgr Pius Malekandathil, Mgr Vincent Nedungatt
Bishops emeritusGeorge Punnakottil (1977-2013), Mathew Pothanamuzhi (1956-1977)
Website
Website of the Diocese

The Eparchy of Kothamangalam is an Syro-Malabar Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or eparchy the Catholic Church in India. It was established by Pope Pius XII in 1957. Mar George Madathikandathil is the eparch since 10 January 2013. [1]

Contents

Situated in the central region of the Indian state of Kerala, the Eparchy of Kothamangalam lies extended in Ernakulam and Idukki districts of Kerala, neighbouring the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, eparchies of Irinjalakuda, Idukki and Pala. Mar Mathew Pothanamuzhy was the first bishop of the eparchy. He was succeeded by Mar George Punnakottil served as the bishop until 10 January 2013, when his resignation was accepted by the synod.

Boundaries

It is bounded on the north by the Periyar river, on the east by the Uzhavathadam river, Cheeyapara Waterfalls, and the Kulamavu Dam; on the west by Kolenchery, and on the south by Ramamangalam, Memuri, Marady, Arakuzha, Purapuzha and Karimkunnam villages, Vazhipuzha river, eastern boundary of Velliamatam and southern boundary of Thodupuzha taluk.

Population

The Kothamangalam Diocese has a total of approximately 231,300 faithful under its jurisdiction.

Ordinaries

Bishops

OrdinaryDesignationYear of appointmentLast year of service
Matthew Pothanamuzhi Bishop19561977
George Punnakottil Bishop19772013
George Madathikandathil Bishop2013present

Prelate's Hailing from the Diocese

OrdinaryDesignationYear of appointmentLast year of service
Thomas Thiruthalil C.M Former Bishop of Berhampur19741989
Thomas Thiruthalil C.M Former Bishop of Balasore19892013
Thomas Pulloppillil Bishop of Bongaigaon2000present
John Thomas Kattrukudiyil Former Bishop of Dhipu19942003
John Thomas Kattrukudiyil Former Bishop of Itanagar20032023
Benny Varghese Edathattel Bishop of Itanagar2023present
Chacko Thottumarickal, S.V.D Former Bishop of Jhubua20022008
Chacko Thottumarickal, S.V.D Former Bishop of Indore20082024
Thomas Mathew Kuttimackal Bishop of Indore2024present
Matthew Vaniakizhakel, C.V. Former Bishop of Satna19992014
Joseph Kodakallil Bishop of Satna2015present
John Vadakel, C.M.I. Former Bishop of Bijnor20092019

Foranes & Parishes

Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry during the Episcopal Ordination of Mar George Madathikandathil as the Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Kothamangalam Maran Mar George Alencherry in the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Kothamangalam.JPG
Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry during the Episcopal Ordination of Mar George Madathikandathil as the Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Kothamangalam

1. Kothamangalam Forane(St George Cathedral Forane church)

1. Kothamangalam
2. Injoor
3. Malippara
4. Mathirappilly
5. Nadukani
6. Nellimattom
7. Thrikkariyoor
8. Vettampara
9. Allungal
10. Nellikuzhy

2. Arakuzha Forane(Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Arakuzha)

1. Arakuzha
2. Arikkuzha
3. Meenkunnam (St. Joseph's Catholic Church)
4. Peringuzha
5. Perumballur
6. Thottakkara

3. Kaliyar Forane(St. Ritha Forane Church)

1. Kaliyar
2. Koduvely
3. Mannukkad
4. Mundanmudy
5. Njarakkad
6. Thennathur
7. Thommankuthu
8. Vannappuram

4. Karimannoor Forane

1. Karimannoor
2. Cheenikkuzhy
3. Cheppukulam
4. Chilavu
5. Kaithappara
6. Malayinchi
7. Mulappuram
8. Neyyasserry
9. Pallikkamuri
10. Peringasserry
11. Thattakkuzha
12. Udumbannoor
13. Uppukunnu

5. Mailakkombu Forane

1. Mailakkombu
2. Ezhallur
3. Kaloor
4. Nakappuzha
5. Perumbillichira
6. Thazhuvamkunnu

6. Maarika Forane

1. Maarika
2. Kolady
3. Kuninji
4. Nediyasala
5. Purappuzha

7. Muthalakkodam Forane (St George Forane Church)

1. Muthalakkodam
2. Chalasserry
3. Kodikkulam
4. Paarappuzha
5. Vandamattom
6. Vazhakkala

8. Muvattupuzha Forane(Holy Magi Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Muvattupuzha)

1. Muvattupuzha
2. St Sebastian's Church Anicadu
3. Karakkunnam
4. Marady
5. Mekkadambu
6. Mudavoor
7. Muvattupuzha East
8. Randaar
9. Vazhappilly East

9. Oonnukal Forane(Little Flower Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church)

1. Oonnukal
2. Ambikapuram
3. Injathotty
4. Maamalakkandam
5. Neendapaara
6. Neryamangalam
7. Parikkanni
8. Pazhambillichal
9. Perumannur

10. Paingottoor Forane

1. Paingottoor
2. Kalvarigiri (Kulappuram)
3. Kadavoor
4. Mullaringad
5. Pothanikkad
6. Punnamattom
7. Rajagir (Vellallu)

11. Thodupuzha Forane

1. Thodupuzha
2. Alakkodu
3. Anjiri
4. Chittur
5. Kalayanthani
6. Kallanikkal
7. Methotty
8. Nazareth hill (Thoyipra)
9. Nediyakaad
10. Pannimattom
11. Ponnanthanam
12. Thalayanad
13. Thodupuzha East
14. Vettimattom

12. Vazhakkulam Forane(St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church)(വാഴക്കുളം ഫൊറോന പള്ളി)

1. Vazhakulam
2. Ayavana
3. Beslehem
4. Enanelloor
5. Kadalikkad
6. Kalloorkkad
7. Kavakkad
8. Nadukkara
9. Vadakode

13.Kuruppampady Forane(St. Peter & Paul Forane Church)

1. Kuruppampady
2. Kutthunkal
3. Nedungapra
4. Kottapady
5. Muttathuppara

14.Velielchal ForaneSt. Joseph's Forane Church

1. Velielchal
2. Vadattupara
3. Pooyamkutty
4. Njayappilly
5. Urulanthanni
6. Manikandamchal
7. Kallelimedu
8. Keerampara
9. Kuttampuzha

Filial Churches

1. Infant Jesus Church Nazarathvalley
2. Infant Jesus Church Nazarethhill
3. Little Flower Church Pallickamury
4. St. Alphonsa's Church Pulickathotty
5. St. Alphonsa's Church Uppukunnu
6. St. Francis Xavier's Church Kulappura
7. St. Jude Church Kallelimedu
8. St. Mary's Church Manikandamchal
9. St. Mary's Church Mannukad
10. St. Mary's Church Ottalloor
11. St. Paul's Church Methotty

Priests

Priests belonging to the Eparchy344
Priests working outside46
Priests out for studies8
Priests Retired25
Religious Priests120

Educational institutions

University Colleges2
Engineering College1
Self-financing colleges3
Teacher Training College1
Technical Schools6
Higher Secondary Schools21
High Schools20
Upper Primary Schools26
Lower Primary Schools51
Unrecognized Schools4
Nursery Schools53

Notable individuals

References

  1. "Vatican Radio".