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Diocese
of the Irinjalakuda is blessed by the footsteps of St. Thomas the
Apostle since it contains Kodungallur which is the cradle of
Christianity of India. From the ancient times, Kodungallur was an
important trade centre. This center had trade relations with the
Persians, Greeks and Romans. According to the tradition, St. Thomas,
the Apostle, landed at Kodungallur (Malliankara), the capital of the
Chera Empire in the year A.D. 52. He preached the Gospel here for the
first time and founded churches. The apostolate of St. Thomas was
fruitful among the people of Kerala. According to Malabar tradition
seven Christian communities were formed in seven different places
before he was martyred in A.D. 72 at Mylapore. Thus, the diocese of
Irinjalakuda was privileged to receive the Christian faith for the
first time in the history of India.
From 4th century onwards, St. Thomas Christians established
relationships with the Church of Persia which gradually developed into
a hierarchical one. Bishops who governed the Church of India had their
residence at Kodungallur while they held the title of the
"Metropolitan and Gate of All India". The 'Metropolitan' changed his
residence from Kodungallur to Angamaly in the 16th century due to
certain political reasons. From 1599 onwards this Church was ruled by
the Latin Bishops and continued to be so until 1896.
The seat of Archdiocese of Kodungallur from 1701 to 1771 was at
Puthenchira. Then the ordinaries lived in the presbytery at the
Puthenchira Church. The mortal remains of Most Rev. Dr. Rebeiro,sj.,
Dr. Antony Pimentel, Dr. John Aloysius Vasconels and Dr. Salvado Dos
Rays are kept in the floor of the St. Mary's Forane Church at
Puthenchira.
H. H. Pope Leo XIII by the papal Bull "Quod Jampridem" of May 20, 1887
separated the Syrian Catholics of Malabar from the jurisdiction of the
Padroado as well as the Vicariate of Verapoly and erected for them
Apostolic Vicariates of Trichur and Kottayam. In 1896 by the Papal
Brief "Quae Rei Sacrae" the Pope reorganized the two Vicariates into
three: Trichur, Ernakulam and Changanacherry - with native Indians of
the Syro - Malabar Church as their Vicars Apostolic . Mar John
Menachery became the first native Vicar Apostolic of Trichur.
H. H. Pope Paul VI bifurcated the Diocese of Trichur and erected the
Diocese of Irinjalakuda by the Bull "Trichurensis Eparchiae" on June
22, 1978 and nominated Msgr. James Pazhayattil as the first Bishop.
The diocese consists of the Southern part of the former Diocese of
Thrissur, that is to say from Karuvannur river on the North, to
Chalakudy river on the South. West boundary is the Arabian Sea and
East boundary being the districts of Palaghat and some parts of
Tamilnadu state.
Brief history of Bishop
Mar James Pazhayattil was born at Puthenchira on July 26, 1934. After
the school career at his native village he joined St. Mary's Minor
Seminary at Thope, Thrissur in the year 1952. He had his seminary
studies in Kandy and Poona. He was ordained priest by His Eminence
Valerian Cardinal Gracias on October 3, 1961. Then he secured his
master degree in English Literature from St. Thomas College, Thrissur.
While he was working as a lecturer in the St. Thomas College and
hostel warden in the same college, he was nominated the first Bishop
of the new diocese of Irinjalakuda on June 22, 1978. He received his
Episcopal Ordination from His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Parekkattil on
September 10, 1978 at Irinjalakuda and took charge of the diocese on
the same day. He made his first "Ad Limina" visit in 1980, 2nd in
1985, 3rd in 1990 and 4th in 1996. At present he is a substitute
member in the permanent synod of the Syro - Malabar Major
Archiepiscopal Church and member of the commission for Particular Law.
From June 7, 1995 to January 18, 1997, he was the assistant to the
Major Archbishop.
Address:
Catholic Bishop's House,
Irinjalakuda - 680 121.Kerala, India
Tel: +91 488 - 826820 / 30 ,
Fax: +91 488 - 825050
E-mail: bphijk@eth.net
Website:
http://www.irinjalakudadiocese.com
Area: 1180 sq. kms.
Catholics: 2,52,863
Languages spoken: Malayalam
Revenue districts: Thrissur & Irinjalakuda.
Statistics
Diocesan Clergy: 179
Religious Priests: 102
Religious Brothers: 30
Religious Women: 1,550
No. of Parishes: 125
Houses of Women Religious: 146
Houses of Men Religious: 20
Formation Houses.
Minor Seminary: 01
Others: 06
No. of Educational Institutions: 19
P. G. Depts./ Colleges: 04
B. Ed. Colleges: 01
Students: 100
Training College: 01
Students: 120
Colleges: 04
Technical Institutions: 10
Collegiates (P.U.C.): 08
Sr. Secondary Schools (10+2): 06
High Schools (10th std.): 21
Primary Schools: 41
Hospitals:
Diocese: 01 Beds: 400
Religious: 09 Beds: 1,800
Dispensaries: 05
Charitable: 86
Other Institutions: 26
Nursing: 04
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