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 km^2 (810 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(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

1. "Population Statistics"., Syro Malankara Church.
2. Ronald Roberson. "The Eastern Catholic Churches 2012" (PDF). Catholic Near East Welfare Association. Retrieved 18 November 2012. Information sourced from Annuario Pontificio 2012 edition.
3. "St. Peter's Malankara Catholic Church,Pathanamthitta".
4. "The History of the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta".
5. "Sacred Heart Malankara Catholic Church, Mylapra".

[1]

External links

• Official Website of the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta
• Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Website

1. http://pathanamthittadiocese.com