Arch-Diocese of Thalassery
Author: Jobi Varghese First featured: May 1, 2006 Last updated: May 1, 2006
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Thalassery is a coastal town in Kannur district, and is located about 20 KM away from Kannur. Thalassery has a long coastal line bordering the Arabian Sea, and is home to rivers, hills, large stretches of cultivated land and vegetation, forests, etc. Thalassery is a place of historic significance too, thanks to its forts, strategic structures, and traditional art forms.
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Thalassery, also called Tellicherry, is a scenic place with idyllic locations, traditional houses, luxuriant vegetation, and long, enchanting roads slotted in between thick woods, thriving cultivations, lush forests, and green tea estates.
Kannur district is home to dense forests, mountainous regions, ancient buildings, and several historic places. Kannur district also produces large amounts of cashew, rice, and is also the cradle of art forms like folkdance, Kalaripayattu, Theyyam, etc. Kasargod, Kerala's northern-most district and part of Thalassery archdiocese, is an upcoming tourist haven, and famous for its forts, rivers, hills, beaches and seashores, and its many languages.
The diocese of Thalassery (Tellichery) was erected in 1953 to cater to the needs of Syro-Malabar Catholics who migrated to Malabar from other Syro-Malabar dioceses of central Kerala. The diocese (Archdiocese since 1995) encompasses the areas of Kannur and Kasargod districts of Kerala.
Mar Sebastian Valloppilly was nominated Apostolic Administrator of the diocese on its erection in 1953. Mar Sebastian Valloppilly was appointed the first bishop of Thalassery diocese in 1955. On his turning 75 years, Mar Valloppilly retired as bishop in the year 1986.
In February 1989, Mar George Valiamattom was appointed as the successor to Mar Valloppilly.
On May 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II raised the diocese of Thalassery to the status of Metropolitan Archeparchy or Archdiocese. Mar George Valiamattom was appointed the first Archbishop of the Archdiocese, and took office as Archbishop in July 1995.
Since its erection in 1953, the archdiocese of Thalassery was bifurcated thrice to form three new dioceses. These dioceses are Mananthavady (1973), Thamarassery (1986), and Belthangady (1999).
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Mar Sebastian Valloppilly, the first bishop of Thalassery (Arch)diocese, who devoted his life for the support and welfare of the migrants to Malabar, passed away on April 4, 2006. His body was laid to rest at St Joseph's Cathedral, Thalassery on April 6, 2006. |
Foranes, Parishes, Population
There are 15 foranes under the Thalassery Archdiocese. These 15 foranes are divided into 146 parishes and 60 semi-parishes.
The population of Syro-Malabar Catholics in the diocese is close to 2,80,000.
Bishop's House & Cathedral Church
The Diocesan House is situated in the heart of Thalassery, near to Josgiri Hospital and District Court.
The Arch-diocesan Cathedral is St Joseph's Cathedral, located just a few metres away from the Bishop's House.
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Address:
Archbishop's House
P.B.No 70, Thalassery
Kannur Dt, Kerala - 670 101, India
Tel: (0490) 2325517, 2341058,
2344977 (P)
Fax: (0490) 2341412
E-mail: diocese@eth.net
Photographs: Jobi Varghese © SyroMalabar.com
Thalassery Archdiocese
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