Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Kothamangalam explained

The Eparchy of Kothamangalam is an Syro-Malabar Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or eparchy the Catholic Church in India. It was established by Pope Pius XII in 1957. Mar George Madathikandathil is the eparch since 10 January 2013.^[1]

Situated in the central region of the Indian state of Kerala, the Eparchy of Kothamangalam lies extended in Ernakulam and Idukki districts of Kerala, neighbouring the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, eparchies of Irinjalakuda, Idukki and Pala. Mar Mathew Pothanamuzhy was the first bishop of the eparchy. He was succeeded by Mar George Punnakottil served as the bishop until 10 January 2013, when his resignation was accepted by the synod.

Boundaries

It is bounded on the north by the Periyar river,on the east by the Uzhavathadam river, Cheeyapara Waterfalls, and the Kulamavu Dam;on the west by Kolenchery,and on the south by Ramamangalam, Memuri, Marady, Arakuzha, Purapuzha and Karimkunnam villages, Vazhipuzha river, eastern boundary of Velliamatam and southern boundary of Thodupuzha taluk.

Population

The Kothamangalam Diocese has a total of approximately 231,300 faithful under its jurisdiction.

Ordinaries

Bishops

Ordinary	Designation	Year of appointment	Last year of service
Matthew Pothanamuzhi	Bishop	1956	1977
George Punnakottil	Bishop	1977	2013
George Madathikandathil	Bishop	2013	present

Prelate's Hailing from the Diocese

Ordinary	Designation	Year of appointment	Last year of service
Thomas Thiruthalil C.M	Former Bishop of Berhampur	1974	1989
Thomas Thiruthalil C.M	Former Bishop of Balasore	1989	2013
Thomas Pulloppillil	Bishop of Bongaigaon	2000	present
John Thomas Kattrukudiyil	Former Bishop of Dhipu	1994	2003
John Thomas Kattrukudiyil	Former Bishop of Itanagar	2003	2023
Benny Varghese Edathattel	Bishop of Itanagar	2023	present
Chacko Thottumarickal, S.V.D	Former Bishop of Jhubua	2002	2008
Chacko Thottumarickal, S.V.D	Former Bishop of Indore	2008	2024
Thomas Mathew Kuttimackal	Bishop of Indore	2024	present
Matthew Vaniakizhakel, C.V.	Former Bishop of Satna	1999	2014
Joseph Kodakallil	Bishop of Satna	2015	present
John Vadakel, C.M.I.	Former Bishop of Bijnor	2009	2019

Foranes & Parishes

1. Kothamangalam Forane (St George Cathedral Forane church)

1. Kothamangalam
2. Injoor
3. Malippara
4. Mathirappilly
5. Nadukani
6. Nellimattom
7. Thrikkariyoor
8. Vettampara
9. Allungal
10. Nellikuzhy

2. Arakuzha Forane (Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Arakuzha)

1. Arakuzha
2. Arikkuzha
3. Meenkunnam (St. Joseph's Catholic Church)
4. Peringuzha
5. Perumballur
6. Thottakkara

3. Kaliyar Forane (St. Ritha Forane Church)

1. Kaliyar
2. Koduvely
3. Mannukkad
4. Mundanmudy
5. Njarakkad
6. Thennathur
7. Thommankuthu
8. Vannappuram

4. Karimannoor Forane

1. Karimannoor
2. Cheenikkuzhy
3. Cheppukulam
4. Chilavu
5. Kaithappara
6. Malayinchi
7. Mulappuram
8. Neyyasserry
9. Pallikkamuri
10. Peringasserry
11. Thattakkuzha
12. Udumbannoor
13. Uppukunnu

5. Mailakkombu Forane

1. Mailakkombu
2. Ezhallur
3. Kaloor
4. Nakappuzha
5. Perumbillichira
6. Thazhuvamkunnu

6. Maarika Forane

1. Maarika
2. Kolady
3. Kuninji
4. Nediyasala
5. Purappuzha

7. Muthalakkodam Forane (St George Forane Church)

1. Muthalakkodam
2. Chalasserry
3. Kodikkulam
4. Paarappuzha
5. Vandamattom
6. Vazhakkala

8. Muvattupuzha Forane (Holy Magi Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Muvattupuzha)

1. Muvattupuzha
2. St Sebastian's Church Anicadu
3. Karakkunnam
4. Marady
5. Mekkadambu
6. Mudavoor
7. Muvattupuzha East
8. Randaar
9. Vazhappilly East

9. Oonnukal Forane(Little Flower Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church)

1. Oonnukal
2. Ambikapuram
3. Injathotty
4. Maamalakkandam
5. Neendapaara
6. Neryamangalam
7. Parikkanni
8. Pazhambillichal
9. Perumannur

10. Paingottoor Forane

1. Paingottoor
2. Kalvarigiri (Kulappuram)
3. Kadavoor
4. Mullaringad
5. Pothanikkad
6. Punnamattom
7. Rajagir (Vellallu)

11. Thodupuzha Forane

1. Thodupuzha
2. Alakkodu
3. Anjiri
4. Chittur
5. Kalayanthani
6. Kallanikkal
7. Methotty
8. Nazareth hill (Thoyipra)
9. Nediyakaad
10. Pannimattom
11. Ponnanthanam
12. Thalayanad
13. Thodupuzha East
14. Vettimattom

12. Vazhakkulam Forane (St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church) (വാഴക്കുളം ഫൊറോന പള്ളി)

1. Vazhakulam
2. Ayavana
3. Beslehem
4. Enanelloor
5. Kadalikkad
6. Kalloorkkad
7. Kavakkad
8. Nadukkara
9. Vadakode

13.Kuruppampady Forane (St. Peter & Paul Forane Church)

1. Kuruppampady
2. Kutthunkal
3. Nedungapra
4. Kottapady
5. Muttathuppara

14.Velielchal Forane St. Joseph's Forane Church

1. Velielchal
2. Vadattupara
3. Pooyamkutty
4. Njayappilly
5. Urulanthanni
6. Manikandamchal
7. Kallelimedu
8. Keerampara
9. Kuttampuzha

Filial Churches

1. Infant Jesus Church Nazarathvalley
2. Infant Jesus Church Nazarethhill
3. Little Flower Church Pallickamury
4. St. Alphonsa's Church Pulickathotty
5. St. Alphonsa's Church Uppukunnu
6. St. Francis Xavier's Church Kulappura
7. St. Jude Church Kallelimedu
8. St. Mary's Church Manikandamchal
9. St. Mary's Church Mannukad
10. St. Mary's Church Ottalloor
11. St. Paul's Church Methotty

Priests

Priests belonging to the Eparchy	344
Priests working outside	46
Priests out for studies	8
Priests Retired	25
Religious Priests	120

Educational institutions

University Colleges	2
Engineering College	1
Self-financing colleges	3
Teacher Training College	1
Technical Schools	6
Higher Secondary Schools	21
High Schools	20
Upper Primary Schools	26
Lower Primary Schools	51
Unrecognized Schools	4
Nursery Schools	53

Notable individuals

• George Karakunnel

External links

• Syro-Malabar Kothamangalam Eparchy
• Archdiocese of Ernakulam
• Catholic-Hierarchy entry

Notes and References

1. Web site: Vatican Radio.