|
The
Diocese of Kanjirapally was erected by His Holiness Pope Paul VI of
illustrious memory, through the Bull "Nos Beati Petri Successores" on
February 26, 1977 as a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Changancherry.
On May 12, 1977, Archbishop Mar Antony Padiyara officially published
the Papal Bull at St. Dominic's Cathedral, Kanjirapally and Mar Joseph
Powathil, the then Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of
Changanacherry was installed the First Bishop of Kanjirapally. Mar
Joseph Powathil laid the foundation of the multifarious development
activities - both spiritual and secular - in the diocese. When Mar
Joseph Powathil was installed as the Archbishop of Changancherry in
1986, Mar Mathew Vattakkuzhy became the Episcopal torchbearer. Under
his patronage the diocese witnessed spiritual renewal and acceleration
in multi - faceted growth. In the event of his retirement in January
2001, Mar Mathew Arackal was appointed Bishop of Kanjirapally to pilot
the diocese in the new millennium.
The
diocese consists of 8 Deaneries within which there are 123 Parish
churches and 38 Stations and Chapels for a Catholic population of
1,88,000. It mainly comprises the rural and the mountainous regions in
the civil districts of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta in the
state of Kerala covering an area of 1980 sq. kms. This Catholic
diocese forms part of the Syro - Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church.
Nilackal, one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas, the Apostle
in 52 A.D. is located in the eastern part of this diocese. The high
ranges of this diocese are mostly covered with forests. The
temperature in this region is comparatively low considering other
parts of Kerala. The misty meadows and the green topography of this
virgin forest create an atmosphere of serenity and a halo of
sacredness. Most of the people who settled in high ranges are migrants
from other parts of Kerala, who rely on agriculture for their
livelihood. Ever since its inception the diocese has been engaged in
the social and economic development of the people, together with its
spiritual work. Accordingly the diocese implemented many schemes for
these purposes and as a result, we have been able to provide a network
of institutions to the people. Motivated by love, the diocese is
striving day in and day out to bring the abundance of life to every
one within her reach. By the Grace of God, the diocese had done
commendable works to the spectrum of spiritual renewal and social and
educational development of this region following the footsteps of the
supreme shepherd Jesus Christ. Having celebrated the Silver Jubilee, the diocese of Kanjirapally is looking forward to an era
of Grace in which she hopes to take giant strides in social, economic
and spiritual amelioration.
Address:
Pastoral Centre,
P.B. No. 22,
Kanjirapally, Kottayam (Dt.),
Kerala - 686 507, Kerala, India
Tel: +91 482 - 802665, 802906, 803956,
802441,
Fax: +91 482 - 804491
E-mail: bishoparakal@satyam.net.in,
marackal@sancharnet.in
Website: http://www.kanjirapallydiocese.com
Area: 1,980 sq. kms.
Total population: 10,26,370
Christians: 4,31,403
Catholics : 1,88,000
Languages spoken: Malayalam and Tamil.
Revenue districts: Kottayam, Idukki
and Pathanamthitta.
Statistics
Diocesan Clergy: 208
Religious Priests: 70
Religious Brothers: 20
Religious Women: 1,526
No. of Parishes: 122
Houses of Women Religious: 157
Congregations: 25
Houses of Men Religious: 21
Congregations: 12
Formation Houses
Minor Seminary: 01
Others: 10
No. of Educational Institutions: 112
P. G. Depts / Colleges: 02
Students: 260
Colleges: 03
Students: 2,155
Technical Institutions: 01
Students: 150
Engineering College: 01
Students: 180
Collegiates (P.U.C.) Parallel Colleges: 04
Students: 1,007
Sr. Secondary Schools (10+2): 07
Students: 7,771
High Schools (10th std.): 29
Students: 20,459
Primary Schools: 68
Students: 17,532
Hospitals: 11
Beds: 885
Dispensaries: 08
Other Institutions: 33
|
|
|
