Metropolitan Archbishop of Trichur

Last updated

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur is the chief bishop and principal leader of the nearly half a million Syro Malabar Catholics now used to be the largest catholic diocese in India, when it included the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur, Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda, Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Palghat and Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Ramanathapuram. He is also the Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur. The title is more powerful as he is the custodian of St. Thomas Church (Palayur), where Christianity came to Indian sub-continent, and have two blessed people, Maria Theresa Chiramel and Euphrasia Eluvathingal in the Archdiocese. [1] [2]

Contents

Politics

The Archbishop of Thrissur has been a vocal supporter of Christian politicians in Thrissur District and Kerala for a long time. But it has been staunch critic against the Communist Party of India and its policies in Kerala after India's Independence. Later in this decade, the archbishop has emerged as an influential pressure group in Kerala politics by deciding seats from Kerala Legislature constituencies to India's upper house, Lok Sabha. Thrissur District's assembly constituencies like Ollur Assembly Constituency, Pudukad Assembly Constituency, Manalur Assembly Constituency, Thrissur Assembly Constituency and Irinjalakuda Assembly Constituency have a majority Christian population, which elect representatives to Kerala Legislature. Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, one of the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala, is also in Thrissur District. [3] [4]

The trend started when Mar Joseph Kundukulam, the first Archbishop of Thrissur, started friendship with the late former Chief Minister of Kerala, K. Karunakaran. It is alleged that archdiocese supported K. Karunakaran in his candidacy to the Kerala Legislature. This was the start of the bonding between Indian National Congress and the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur. [5] After the death of Kundukulam, Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy was elected as the next archbishop. But Thoomkuzhy was less interested in the Kerala politics. Later Mar Andrews Thazhath was selected to head the archdiocese. In 2007, he campaigned against Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan ruled Government against its policies towards Church and its institutions. He even threatened Communist-led Government telling that the Church may re-enact the "Liberation Struggle" of the late 1950s. [6]

Oommen Chandy Ministry

The relations between Oommen Chandy Ministry and Andrews Thazhath was not cordial. The trouble started when Indian National Congress and Kerala Congress decided to field P. C. Chacko for Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 Indian general election. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur was not happy with P. C. Chacko as his performance was very low in earlier terms and he was an outsider from Thrissur District. In 1991, P. C. Chacko won the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency but ran away from the constituency fearing backlash. In 2009, Indian National Congress forced Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur to accept P. C. Chacko as the candidate. But in 2014, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur was enraged by the decision of Indian National Congress to field P. C. Chacko from Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency as it was looking for a person from Thrissur District and his lack of interest in the development of Thrissur. Even P. C. Chacko decorated high offices like Indian National Congress national spokesman and Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, he never thought about the development of Thrissur. Later on, K. P. Dhanapalan MP from Chalakudy (Lok Sabha constituency) was fielded from the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency. [7] [8]

List of bishops and archbishops of Thrissur

Bishops and archbishops of Thrissur
FromUntilIncumbentNotes
18871896 Adolph Medlycott First and only Bishop from outside Kerala to be consecrated as the Bishop of Thrissur in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur. Consecrated on 11 December 1887, resigned in 1896, died on 4 May 1918.
18961919 John Menachery Consecrated on 25 October, died on 19 December 1919.
19211942 Francis Vazhapilly Consecrated on 6 July 1921, died on 12 May 1942.
19441970 George Alapatt Consecrated on 1 May 1944, died on 6 November 1973.
19701997 Joseph Kundukulam First Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur. Nominated on 4 June 1970, consecrated on 16 August 1970, died on 26 April 1998.
19972007 Jacob Thoomkuzhy Second Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur.
2007Present Andrews Thazhath Third Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur.
Source(s): [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syro-Malabar Catholic Church</span> Eastern Catholic church

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, is an Eastern Catholic Church based in Kerala, India. It is sui iuris (autonomous) particular Church in full communion with the Pope and the worldwide Catholic Church, including the Latin Church and the 22 other Eastern Catholic Churches, with self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO). The Church is headed by the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar, currently George Alencherry. The Syro-Malabar Synod of Bishops canonically convoked and presided over by the Major Archbishop constitutes the supreme authority of the Church. The Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the Church is based in Kakkanad, Kochi. Syro-Malabar is a prefix reflecting the church's use of the East Syriac Rite liturgy and origins in Malabar. The name has been in usage in official Vatican documents since the nineteenth century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Changanacherry</span> Eastern Catholic archeparchy in Kerala & Tamil Nadu, India

The Archeparchy of Changanacherry is a Syro-Malabar Catholic archeparchy with an area of 24,595 km2 comprising the districts of Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, and also Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest Catholic dioceses in India in terms of area. Joseph Perumthottam is the current Metropolitan Archbishop, serving since 2007. Thomas Tharayil has been the auxiliary bishop since 2017. Suffragan eparchies of the Changanassery archeparchy includes Palai, Kanjirappally-Nilackal, and Thuckalay-Thiruvithancode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Powathil</span> Syro-Malabar Catholic archbishop (1929–2023)

Mar Joseph Powathil was an Indian prelate of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. He was the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Changanassery, serving from 1985 until 2007. He was also the first bishop of Kanjirappally, having served from 1977 to 1985. He served as the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) from 1994 to 1998. Powathil was one of the youngest bishops in India, having been ordained bishop at the age of 41 and Pope Paul VI was his principal consecrator. A scholar in theology, Mar Powathil is known for his stringent stance in matters related to the Syro-Malabar Church's liturgy and restoration of eastern traditions. His stringent stance on the fee structure of self-financing colleges had once put the state government in a fix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syro-Malabar Catholic Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam–Angamaly</span> Eastern Catholic archeparchy in Kerala, India

The Major Archeparchy of Ernakulam–Angamaly is the major archeparchy and the See of the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church. Mar Cardinal George Alencherry is the present Major Archbishop, and until July 2022 Archbishop Mar Antony Kariyil CMI was the Vicar of Major Archbishop, responsible for the administration of the major archeparchy. Currently Mar Andrews Thazath, Archbishop of Thrissur Archeparchy, was appointed by the Holy Father Pope Francis as the apostolic administrator of the same, replacing Mar Antony Kariyil. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church was elevated to the status of a major archiepiscopal church in 1992 with Ernakulam-Angamaly as the primatal see.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob Thoomkuzhy</span>

Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy is an East Syriac Catholic Archbishop Emeritus, First Bishop of Mananthavady diocese, Second bishop of Thamarassery diocese and the second Metropolitan Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur in India. He was born at Vilakumadam in the Eparchy of Palai on 13 December 1930. He was educated at Thiruvambady in Kozhikode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Thrissur</span> Eastern Catholic archeparchy in Kerala, India

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Trichur-Palayoor, in Thrissur District of Central Kerala, India, with nearly half a million Syro-Malabar Catholics now, used to be the largest Catholic diocese in India when it included the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda until 1978 and Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palghat until 1973. Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda, also located in Thrissur District, has over a quarter million Syro-Malabar Catholics now. Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Palghat in Central Kerala extends to some regions in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. In 2010, the parts of Tamil Nadu under the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Palghat were separated to form another Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Ramanathapuram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Mananthavady</span> Eastern Catholic eparchy in Southern India

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Mananthavady is an Eastern Catholic eparchy in India, under the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. It was established in 1973 by Pope Paul VI. It is a suffragan diocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Tellicherry, the bishop of the diocese is Jose Porunnedom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Irinjalakuda</span> Eastern Catholic eparchy in Kerala, India

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Irinjalakuda-Kodungallur is a suffragan eparchy in the ecclesiastical province of the Metropolitan Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Thrissur in Kerala state's Thrissur District, southern India.It is part of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral</span> Church in Kerala, India

Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Kerala, is located in the heart of Thrissur City in the state of Kerala, India. Dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, the Syro-Malabar Catholic church is noted for its imposing interior. The main attraction is an underground shrine, considered a masterpiece of architectural design. Fr John Maliekkal is said to have planned and constructed this church. The exterior of the church features an Indo-European facade with white spires. The centenary of this church was celebrated during the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Thrissur City in 1986. The cathedral church attracts thousands of pilgrims every month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. C. Chacko</span> Indian politician (born 1946)

P. C. Chacko is a former Member of Parliament from Thrissur Lok Sabha seat in Kerala. He is a former member of the Indian National Congress. Chacko resigned from Indian National Congress on 10 March 2021, stating that it had become difficult to be a congress leader in Kerala. P.C. Chacko is the first president of Thiruvananthapuram District committee of Kerala Students Union. He was the State president of Indian youth Congress from 1970 to 1973 and held the post of national General secretary of Indian youth Congress during 1973 - 1975. He became the general secretary of KPCC in 1975 and continued till 1979. He was elected to the Kerala Assembly in 1980 from Piravom constituency and during 1980- 81 he served as Minister for Industries in the state cabinet. He was elected to Loksabha in 1991 from Thrissur, in 1996 from Mukundapuram, in 1998 from Idukki and in 2009 again from Thrissur. On 2021 March 16 he joined Nationalist Congress Party, which is an ally of LDF in Kerala. He was appointed President of the Kerala State Unit of Nationalist Congress Party by the National President Sri. Sharad Pawar on 19 May 2021.

Euphrasia Eluvathingal was an Indian Carmelite nun of the Syro-Malabar Church, which is an Eastern Catholic Church in Kerala. Euphrasia is said to have had a vision of the Holy Family, at which point the illness she had long felt ceased. She was canonised as a saint by Pope Francis on 23 November 2014 in Vatican City. Since the beheading of St. John the Baptist is celebrated on August 29, the feast of St. Euphrasia is postponed to August 30 .

Mar Joseph Kundukulam was the first metropolitan archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur, from 1970 to 1997. Kundukulam was succeeded by Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy. Kundukulam retired as archbishop in 1997 and died at Wamba, Kenya on 26 April 1998. His corpse was taken to Kerala by a special aircraft and was buried at Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral, Thrissur on 29 April 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrews Thazhath</span> Syro-Malabar Catholic archbishop (born 1951)

Mar Andrews Thazhath is an Indian Catholic prelate and Archeparch of Thissur in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Thomas Cathedral, Irinjalakuda</span> Church in Kerala, India

St. Thomas Cathedral is the Syro Malabar Catholic cathedral of the eparchy of Irinjalakuda in India. It presently exists under the nomenclature and the Canonical Status as Cathedral in the Wake of the Origin of the New Eparchy, effected by the amalgamation of the two independent and important parishes of the locality, namely, St. George’s Forane Church and St. Mary’s church, which were amicably situated side by side for about a century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Alencherry</span> Head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church since 2011

George Alencherry is the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and also a cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was elected by the Holy Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church in 2011 to succeed Varkey Vithayathil (1999–2011). He was created a cardinal on 18 February 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. He was the first bishop of Thuckalay from 1997 to 2011 before his enthronement as the major archbishop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Administration of Thrissur district</span>

Thrissur District has four types of administrative hierarchies:

References

  1. ↑ "Classic battle in Left bastion: Church vs State". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  2. ↑ "Battle cry". Frontline. Archived from the original on 17 April 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ↑ "Catholics Want a Piece of Kerala's Political Pie". Hinduismtoday. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "Church and a state". The Indian Express. Retrieved 16 December 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "KCBC's condolence". The Hindu. 25 December 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  6. ↑ "Battle cry". Frontline. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "CHACKO'S ESCAPE BRINGS THRISSUR INTO FOCUS". Daily Pioneer. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Congress bows to church: Drops PT Thomas, moves PC Chacko". IndiaToday. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  9. ↑ "Former Bishops". Trichur Archdiocese. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.