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Pope Leo XIII, by the Brief "Quod jam pridem" in 1887 created the
Vicariates Apostolic of Kottayam and Trichur for the Catholics of
Malabar separating them from the Archdiocese of Cranganore and the
Vicariate Apostolic of Verapoly, and two Vicars Apostolic were given
for them from the Latin Rite, Dr C. Lavingne sj and Dr Medlycott
respectively.
Again the same Pope granted them three bishops of their own rite and
nationality in 1896 and by the Brief "Quae rei Sacrae" of July 28,
1896 the three Vicariates Apostolic of Trichur, Ernakulam and
Changanacherry were created.
Later, Pope Pius X restored the Vicariate of Kottayam by the Brief "Universi
Christiani" of 1911, "Pro gente suddistica" i.e for the section of
Syro Malabar Christians, who are known as Suddhists, descendants of
the Colony of Emigrants in the year 345 AD under the leadership of
Thomas of Kinai from Edessa, Syria. The Vicariate comprises all the
churches and chapels belonging to the Suddhist community on the
Malabar Coast.
Later, Pope Pius XI raised the Vicariate of Kottayam to the status of
a diocese on December 21, 1923 by the Bull "Romani Pontifices" by
creating the Syro - Malabar Hierarchy. By a Decree of April 29, 1955,
the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Kottayam is extended to all
Suddhists of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ernakulam and
Changanacherry.
The diocese of Kottayam was elevated to the status of an archdiocese
in May 2005
Address:
Archbishop of Kottayam, Catholic Metropolitan’s House, P. B.
No. 71, Kottayam - 686 001, Kerala, India
Tel : +91 481 - 2563527, 2563812, 2300453, Fax : +91 481 - 2563327
E-mail: cbhktym@hotmail.com
Website:
www.kottayamad.org
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