Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy of Pathanamthitta

Diocese of Pathanamthitta Eparchiae Pathanamthitta പത്തനംതിട്ട രൂപത
File:Bishop's House Pathanamthitta.jpg Bishop's House of the Eparchy
Location
Country	India
Ecclesiastical province	Pathanamthitta
Coordinates
Statistics
Area
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2010) 1,234,016 40,563
Parishes	100
Members	37,500
Information
Denomination	Eastern Catholic
Rite	Syro-Malankara Rite
Cathedral	St. Peter’s Malankara Catholic Church,Pathanamthitta
Patron saint	St. Thomas
Secular priests	89
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom
Vicar General	Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jose Chamakalayil
Episcopal Vicars	Rt. Rev. Msgr. Chacko Thadathil
Map
Location of Pathanamthitta in Kerala Location of Pathanamthitta in Kerala

The Eparchy of Pathanamthitta constitutes the Malankara Syrian Catholic community in the Vicinity of Pathanamthitta in the Indian State of Kerala. The Diocese came into existence with the consent of Pope Benedict XVI, on 25 January 2010. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom became the first bishop of this Eparchy. St. Peter’s Malankara Catholic Church, Pathanamthitta serves as the Cathedral Church for this Eparchy.

History

The Syro-Malankara Catholics are one of the oldest Saint Thomas Christians centered in Kerala, India. In the 16th century, the Church in the West came in contact with the Indian Church through the Portuguese merchants and missionaries. But the relationship was fragile and several conflicts evolved among them, which later resulted in the Coonan Cross Oath. The majority of them restored ecclesial relationship with the Portuguese hierarchy (Syro-Malabar Catholic Church) and the rest formed themselves into an independent ecclesial community and gradually got into an ecclesial relationship with the ancient Church of the Antioch. Later, on 20 September 1930 a group headed by Archbishop Mar Ivanios lead the reunion movement and returned to the Catholic Church. The Metropolitan Eparchy of Trivandrum was inaugurated on 11 May 1933 and Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Ivanios was installed as its first Metropolitan. To cope up with the tremendous growth of the church the Major Archeparchy of Trivandrum was ramified and a new Eparchy of Pathanamthitta was formed.

Statistics

As of 2010 there were 100 parishes in the Diocese, served by 89 priests. The diocesan area is basically hilly in nature including a considerable number of tribal colonies. The Exarcate of the United States found its first bishop, Aboon Thomas Mar Eusebius from the Sacred Heart Malankara Catholic Church in Mylapra near Pathanamthitta.

Curia members

Designation	Name
Proto Syncellus (Chief Vicar General)	Rt. Rev. Msgr. Jose Chamakalayil
Syncellus (Vicar General)	Rev. Msgr. Chacko Thadathil
Chancellor	Very Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Chediyath
Economus (Procurator)	Very Rev. Fr.Joshy Vazhappilleth
Secretary	Rev. Fr. Sebastian Pulivelil

The Heads of Various Apostolic Services

Designation	Name
Rector, Minor Seminary	Very Rev.Fr. Sam Vengattoor
Director, Catechism	Very Rev.Fr. Robin Manackaleth
Director, MCYM	Very Rev.Fr. Sebastian Kizhakkethil
Director, Family Apostolate	Very Rev.Fr. Joseph Erattapulickal
Director, Bible Apostolate	Very Rev.Fr. Zacharias Nediyakalayil
Correspondent, Aided Schools	Very Rev.Fr. Augustine Pulimuttath
Correspondent, Unaided Schools	Very Rev.Fr. George Puthenvila
Director, Pious Association	Very Rev.Fr. James Elanjickal
Director, Social Apostolate	Very Rev.Fr. Varghese Chamakala
Spiritual Adviser, St.Vincent de Paul Society	Very Rev.Fr. Mathew Puthuparambil
Director, Media & Publication (PRO)	Very Rev.Fr. Daniel Narakathinal (Benny)

Gallery

• Pta Inauguration.JPG

  Inauguration of the Eparchy

• Pastoral Centre.jpg

  Inauguration of the 'UPASANA' Pastoral Centre,Omalloor

• Ordination at church.JPG

  Ordination of priests held at S H Church, Mylapra

• Msg Curia.JPG

  Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom with Curia Members

External links

• Official Website of the Eparchy of Pathanamthitta
• Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Website