Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Trichur explained

Jurisdiction:Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy
Trichur
Country:India
Metropolitan:Thrissur
Territory:Thrissur district
Population:2,018,635
Catholics:470,056
Parishes:215
Churches:251
Schools:23
Members:460,848
Denomination:Catholic Church
Sui Iuris Church:Syro-Malabar Church
Rite:East Syriac rite
Established:20 May 1887
Cathedral:Our Lady of Lourdes Metropolitan Cathedral,
Cocathedral:Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours
Patron:Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Major Archbishop:Raphael Thattil
Metro Archbishop:Andrews Thazhath
Auxiliary Bishops:Tony Neelankavil
Vicar General:Msgr. Jose Vallooran, Msgr. Jose Konikkara
Emeritus Bishops:Jacob Thoomkuzhy
Map:Thrissur_Archdiocese_Map.svg
Map Size:280px
Website:www.trichurarchdiocese.org
Coat Size:180px

The Archeparchy of Trichur, 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.

The Archeparchy of Trichur was founded on 20 May 1887 by Pope Leo XIII by his papal bull Quod Jam Pridem now covers an area of 2000 Sq.Km and has a Catholic population of about 460848. There are 16 Foranes under the Archeparchy of Trichur. The total number of parishes is 215. In addition, there are 36 stations in the archdiocese. Diocese of Ramanathapuram, Diocese of Irinjalakuda and Diocese of Palghat are the suffragan dioceses of the Archeparchy. Cardinal Mar Raphael Thattil is the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Mar Andrews Thazhath is the Metropolitan Archbishop, Mar Tony Neelankavil is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese and Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy is the Archbishop Emeritus.

History

The diocese was founded on 20 May 1887 by Pope Leo XIII by his papal bull Quod iam pridem. The boundaries of diocese were from Periyar (river) in Aluva to Bharathappuzha. Later it was extended to Palakkad district and extended to Coimbatore District in Tamil Nadu and was the largest Catholic diocese in India.

Role in education

Rev. Medlycott has given a description about the state of facilities for education in the vicariate on his arrival in 1887 and on his return in 1896 as below:

Parishes and population

The total number of parishes is 215. In addition, there are 36 stations in the archdiocese. The population of Syro-Malabar Catholics in Thrissur Archdiocese is about 4,60,848. There are 16 foranes under Thrissur Archdiocese. They are:

Serial No.ForaneParishesStationsHousesCatholic Population
1Lourdes Cathedral17111746 59539
2Dolours' Basilica1601009554777
3Chelakara11116158080
4Erumapetty1112452 12285
5Kandassankadavu13 6693339781
6Kottekad8 2499426134
7Mattom8 5376118471
8Ollur14 513372 63211
9Palayur14 25873 29696
10Parappur10 53783 17685
11Pattikad12 02609 13735
12Pazhuvil12 44425 24892
13Pudukad18 411038 61064
14Puthur10 0323216040
15Velur13 23775 18528
16Wadakkanchery13 1517426872

Suffragan dioceses

Vicars Apostolic

Bishops

Archbishops

Saints and causes for canonisation

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Saints & Blessed – CCBI. Oct 17, 2019.
  2. Web site: Glorified Souls - Archdiocese of Trichur . www.trichurarchdiocese.org . 26 February 2020.