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His Holiness Pope
Paul VI by the Bull Apostolico Requirente of June 20, 1974, bifurcated
the Eparchy of Trichur and with the addition of a few parishes from
the Eparchy of Tellicherry, erected the Eparchy of Palakkad as a
suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam. It is now a suffragan of
the Metropolitan Province of Trichur. The Eparchy comprises the civil
districts of Palakkad in Kerala, Coimbatore, Karur and Erode in Tamil
Nadu and covers approximately an area of 28,515 sq. kms.
The Eparchy was officially inaugurated on September 8, 1974, the feast
of the Nativity of our heavenly Mother. On the same day Bishop Joseph
Irimpen, the first bishop of the Eparchy, was ordained bishop.
Immediately thereafter he assumed the charge of the Eparchy. He laid a
solid foundation for the Eparchy and guided its destinies with great
love, dedication and devotion. He retired from office on December 6,
1994. The Eparchy was then administered by Msgr. Joseph Veliyathil.
Mar Jacob Manathodath who was Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly
was appointed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II as Eparch of Palakkad
on December 11, 1996. He took canonical possession of the Eparchy on
February 1, 1997.
The Eparchy completed twenty five years on September 8, 1999. The
Silver Jubilee was celebrated in December 1999.
The Eparchy of Palakkad had at the time of its inauguration only 18
parishes, 17 stations and 20,810 faithful and just 18 diocesan
priests, 10 religious priests and 288 women religious. The Lord made
the Eparchy grow. Presently, it has 88 parishes, 44 stations and
65,583 faithful. There are now 86 diocesan priests, 53 religious
priests and 1,237 women religious to attend to the pastoral care of
the people. The Eparchy has 64 students in the Major Seminaries. There
are a number of institutions in the Eparchy through which educational
and charitable works are done.
Address:
Bishop's House,
Noorani P.O.,
Post Bag No. 4,
Palakkad - 678 004,
Kerala, India
Tel: +91 491 - 2515277 (O), 2525129 (P),
Fax: +91 491 - 2525129
E-mail: pgt_diocepgt@sancharnet.in
Website: http://www.palghatdiocese.org
Area: 28,515 sq. kms.
Catholics: 65,583
Languages spoken: Malayalam and Tamil.
Revenue districts: Palakkad in Kerala, Coimbatore, Karur and Erode in
Tamil
Nadu.
Statistics
Diocesan Clergy: 86
Religious Priests: 53
Religious Brothers: 03
Religious Women: 1,237
No. of Parishes: 132
Houses of Women Religious: 142
Houses of Men Religious: 35
Formation Houses
Minor Seminaries: 02
Others: 02
No. of Educational institutions
B. Ed. Colleges: 01
Students: 100
Colleges: 01
Students: 1,400
Technical Institutions: 03
Students: 174
Sr. Secondary Schools (10+2): 11
Students: 2,669
High Schools (10th std.): 25
Students: 20,625
Primary Schools: 60
Students: 30,496
Hospitals: 13
Beds: 470
Dispensaries: 06
Beneficiaries (Annual): 9,768
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