Arch-Diocese of Changanassery
Author: Jobi Varghese First featured: Mar 27, 2006 Last updated: Mar 27, 2006
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Changanassery in Kottayam district of Kerala is a centre of highly-educated, largely-developed, and well-cultured community. The region is an example of social, economic, and financial growth, and evinces commercial and agricultural progress.
On May 20, 1887, Pope Leo XIII established two Vicariates Apostolic (dioceses) namely Kottayam (named Kottayam but comprising the areas of today's Changanasserry diocese AND today's Kottayam diocese) and Trichur, exclusively for St Thomas Christians, soon to be known as Syro-Malabarese or Syro-Malabar Catholics. Dr Charles Lavigne was appointed as Vicar Apostolic of Kottayam. In 1896, Pope Leo XIII established the third Vicariate Apostolic namely Ernakulam.
On August 29, 1911, Pope Pius X erected a separate Vicariate Apostolic (diocese) of Kottayam (by renaming already existing Kottayam, which then encompassed the areas of today's Changanassery AND today's Kottayam, to Changanassery) within the Syro-Malabar Church for the Knanaya community, and transferred Mar Mathew Makil, the then Vicar Apostolic (bishop) of Changanassery (until then Kottayam, just renamed to Changanasserry, today's Changanasserry) to this newly-established Kottayam diocese. Mar Thomas Kurialasserry was appointed the first Vicar Apostolic of Changanasserry (1911).
Thus, the diocese of Changanassery was established in 1887, but was named Changanassery in 1911.
On July 26, 1956, the diocese of Changanassery was elevated to the status of an Archdiocese.
Bishops of the diocese
- Bishop Charles Lavigne (1887 - 1896)
- Bishop Mar Mathew Makil (1896 - 1911)
- Bishop Mar Thomas Kurialasserry (1911 - 1925)
- Bishop Mar James Kalachery (1927 - 1949)
- Bishop Mar Mathew Kavukattu (1950 - 1969)
- Archbishop Mar Antony Padiyara (1970 - 1985)
- Bishop Mar Joseph Powathil (Auxiliary bishop from 1972-85)
- Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil (1985 - 2007)
- Bishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam (Auxiliary bishop from 2002 - 2007)
- Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam (From March 19, 2007)
Mar Joseph Powathil served as Archbishop of the diocese from 1985 to 2007. He retired as Archbishop on March 19, 2007. Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Auxiliary bishop of the diocese from 2002, was installed as Archbishop on March 19, 2007.
Servants of God
Bishop Mar Thomas Kurialassery and Archbishop Mar Mathew Kavukattu have been named Servants of God.
Foranes, Parishes, Population
The archdiocese of Changanassery has undergone several reorganizations since its inception way back in 1887. As and when new dioceses were carved out of the archdiocese, there occurred restructuring of foranes and parishes.
Currently, there are 13 foranes under the Changanassery archdiocese. The total number of parishes under all these 13 foranes is 188. The archdiocese comprises 53 filial churches also. In addition, the diocese has the Etawah mission region in U.P.
The population of Syro-Malabar Catholics in the archdiocese is nearly 3,90,000.
Archdiocesan House & Cathedral Church
The Archdiocesan House is situated on Changanassery - Vazhoor road, about 1 KM from the town.
St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, the Diocesan Cathedral and Marian Pilgrimage Centre, is situated on Market Road, just about 500 metres from Changanassery town.
Address:
Archbishop's House
P.B.No. 20, Changanassery
Kerala - 686 101
Tel: (0481) 2420040, 2430040, 2420379, 2420614, 2421162
Fax: (0481) 2422540
E-mail: abpchry@sancharnet.in, abpchry@md2.vsnl.net.in
Web: www.archdiocesechanganacherry.org
Photographs: Jobi Varghese © SyroMalabar.com
Changanassery Archdiocese
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