Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy of Pathanamthitta
The Eparchy of Pathanamthitta constitutes the Malankara Syrian Catholic community in the Vicinity of Pathanamthitta in the Indian State of Kerala. The diocese came into existence with the consent of Pope Benedict XVI, on 25 January 2010. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom became the first bishop of this eparchy. St. Peter’s Malankara Catholic Church, Pathanamthitta, serves as the Cathedral Church for this eparchy.[3]
Diocese of Pathanamthitta Eparchiae Pathanamthitta പത്തനംതിട്ട രൂപത | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country |  India |
| Ecclesiastical province | Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum |
| Coordinates | 9°16′53″N 76°47′14″E |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 2,100 km2 (810 sq mi) |
| Population - Total - Catholics (including non-members) | (as of 2010) 1,234,016 40,563 |
| Parishes | 100 |
| Members | 37,500[1][2] |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Eastern Catholic |
| Rite | Syro-Malankara Rite |
| Cathedral | St. Peter’s Malankara Catholic Church, Pathanamthitta |
| Patron saint | St. Thomas |
| Secular priests | 89[1][2] |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Major Archbishop | Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos |
| Bishop | Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Mar Irenios |
| Vicar General | Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Thundiyath |
| Episcopal Vicars | Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Kurumpileth |
| Bishops emeritus | Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom |
| Map | |
 Location of Pathanamthitta in Kerala | |
| Website | |
| pathanamthittadiocese.com | |
History
The Syro-Malankara Catholics are one of the oldest Saint Thomas Christians centered in Kerala, India. In the 16th century, the Church in the West came in contact with the Indian Church through the Portuguese merchants and missionaries. But the relationship was fragile and several conflicts evolved among them, which later resulted in the Coonan Cross Oath. The majority of them restored ecclesial relationship with the Portuguese hierarchy (Syro-Malabar Catholic Church) and the rest formed themselves into an independent ecclesial community and gradually got into an ecclesial relationship with the ancient Church of the Antioch. Later, on 20 September 1930, a group headed by Archbishop Mar Ivanios lead the reunion movement and returned to the Catholic Church. The Metropolitan Eparchy of Trivandrum was inaugurated on 11 May 1933 and Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Ivanios was installed as its first Metropolitan. To cope up with the tremendous growth of the church the Major Archeparchy of Trivandrum was ramified and a new Eparchy of Pathanamthitta was formed.[4]
Statistics
As of 2010 there were 100 parishes in the Diocese, served by 89 priests. The diocesan area is basically hilly in nature including a considerable number of tribal colonies. The Exarcate of the United States got its first bishop Aboon Thomas Mar Eusebius from the Sacred Heart Malankara Catholic Church in Mylapra near Pathanamthitta.[5]
Curia members
| Designation | Name |
|---|---|
| Syncellus (Vicar General) | Rt. Rev. Msgr. Dr. Shaji Thomas Manikulam |
| Chancellor | Very Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Chediyath |
| Economus (Procurator) | Very Rev. Fr. George Puthenvilayil |
| Secretary | Rev. Fr. Joel Poweth |
The Heads of Various Apostolic Services
| Designation | Name |
|---|---|
| Rector, Minor Seminary | Rt Rev.Corepiscopa. Jose Chamakalayil |
| Director, Catechism | Rev.Fr. Geevarghese Palamoottil Theekethil |
| Spiritual Advisor, Malankara Catholic Association (MCA) | Very Rev. Fr. Anto Kannamkulam |
| Director, MCYM | Rev.Fr. Mathew Puthuparambil |
| Director, Family Apostolate | Rev.Fr. Sebastian Kizhakkethil |
| Director, Bible Apostolate | Rev.Fr. Geevarghese Puthuparambil |
| Correspondent, Aided Schools | Rev.Fr. Abraham Mannil |
| Correspondent, Unaided Schools | Rev. Fr. Zacharias Nediyakalayil |
| Director, Pious Association & Legion of Mary | Very Rev.Fr. James Elanjickal |
| Director, Social Service | Rev. Fr. Thomas Malancharuvil (Bobby) |
| Spiritual Advisor, Vincent De Paul Society | Rev. Fr. Martin Puthenveedu |
| Public Relations' Officer | Rev. Fr. Thomas Malancharuvil (Bobby) |
| Director, Labour Movement | Rev. Fr. Abraham Meppurath (Jinse) |
| Director, Upasana Pastoral Centre | Rev. Fr. Varghese Vilayil |
| Director, Holy Childhood/ Vocation | Rev. Fr. Robin Thykkoottathil |
| Director, Dalith & MadyaNirodhana Movement | Rev. Fr. Thomas Chirayath |
| In Charge of Alter Boys | Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Palamoottil Thekkethil |
Parishes
| St. Peter's Cathedral | Pathanamthitta |
| St. Edward Malankara Syrian Catholic Church | Aranmula |
| St John's Malankara Syrian Catholic Church Kadammanitta | Kadammanitta |
| St. George Malankara Catholic Church, Ponnambu | Ponnambu |
| St. George Malankara Catholic Church, Elappupara | Elappupara |
| Sacred Heart Malankara Syrian Catholic Church | Vadakkupuram |
| St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Kumbazha |
| St.Mary's Kurishumala Church | Perunad |
| Sacred Heart Malankara Catholic Church | Mylapra |
| St Peters Malankara Catholic Church | Attachakal |
| St.Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Konny |
| St Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Pambumala |
| St. John Chrysostom Malankara Catholic Church | Mannarakulanji |
| St.Mary's Malankara Catholic Church,Kumplampoika | Kumplampoika |
| St.Antony's Malankara Catholic Church | Vadasserikkara |
| St.Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Vayalathala |
| St. George Malankara Catholic Church | Athirumkal |
| St. Teresa's Catholic Church | Murinjakal |
| St.Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Nedumonkavu |
| St. Georges Malankara Catholic Church, Vallicode Kottayam | Vallicode Kottayam |
| St.Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Angadical |
| Syrian Malankara Catholic Church Mezhuveli | Mezhuveli West |
| St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Kurichimuttam |
| St. Mary's Catholic Church | Chandanappally |
| St.Thomas Syro Malankara Catholic Church | Amalagiri-Kodumudi |
| St.Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Seethathode |
| Malankara Syrian Catholic Church | Vayyattupuzha |
| St George Malankara Syrian Catholic Church | Thannithode |
| St. Mary's Catholic Church | Thekkuthode |
| St.George Malankara Catholic Church | Manneera |
| Kokkathodu Catholic Church | Kokkathode |
| St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Church, Valyayanthy | Valyayanthy |
| Malankara Catholic Church, Mekozhoor | Mekozhoor |
| St. Joseph Malankara Catholic Church | Karakkad |
| St.Thomas Malankara Catholic Church | Puthenpeedika |
| St Thomas Malankara Catholic Church, Thumpamon | Mampilali Thumpamon |
| St. George Malankara Catholic Church, Erathumpamon | Erathumpamon |
| St. Benedict's Malanakara Catholic Church, Konnithazham | Konnithazham |
| Malankara Catholic Church, Carmala | Carmala |
| MCC, Puthukkulam | Puthukkulam |
| St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church, Athumpumkulam | Athumpumkulam |
| St. Sebastian's Malankara Catholic Church, Avolikuzhy | Avolikuzhy |
| St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church, Chittar | Chittar |
| MCC, Pampini | Pampini |
| St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Moolakkayam |
| St. Theresa's Malankara Catholic Church, Pampavalli | Pampavalli |
| St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church | Anandappally |
| St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Church | Angamoozhi |
| Malankara Catholic Church, Anjilikunnu | Anjilikunnu |
| St Patrick's Malakara Catholic Church | Chengara |
| St. George Malankara Catholic Church, Kallely | Kallely |
| St. Mary's Malankara Catholic Church, Oottupara | Oottupara |
| Catholic Bishop's House, Pathanamthitta | Nannuvakkad, Pathanamthitta |
Gallery
Inauguration of the Eparchy
Inauguration of the 'UPASANA' Pastoral Centre,Omalloor
Ordination of priests held at S H Church, Mylapra
Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom with Curia Members
References
- "Population Statistics"., Syro Malankara Church.
- Ronald Roberson. "The Eastern Catholic Churches 2012" (PDF). Catholic Near East Welfare Association. Retrieved 18 November 2012. Information sourced from Annuario Pontificio 2012 edition.
- "St. Peter's Malankara Catholic Church,Pathanamthitta".
- "The History of the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta".
- "Sacred Heart Malankara Catholic Church, Mylapra".
External links
Syro-Malankara Catholic Church hierarchy | |
|---|---|
| Major Archeparchy | |
| Metropolitan Archeparchies | |
| Suffragan Eparchies |
/ Under Tiruvalla : Eparchy of Bathery |
| Eparchies immediately subject to the Major Archbishop | |
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