Latin Catholic Diocese of Vijayapuram

Diocese of Vijayapuram Dioecesis Viiayapuramensis
Location
Country	India
Metropolitan	Verapoly
Statistics
Area	9,000 km2 (3,500 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2004) 3,584,506 82,930 (2.3%)
Information
Rite	Latin Rite
Cathedral	Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral
Current leadership
Bishop	Sebastian Thekethecheril

The Latin Catholic Diocese of Vijayapuram (Latin: Viiayapuramen(sis)) is a diocese located in the city of Kottayam in the Ecclesiastical province of Verapoly in India.

History

• July 14, 1930: Established as Diocese of Vijayapuram from Metropolitan Archdiocese of Verapoly

Leadership

• Bishops of Vijayapuram (Latin Rite)
  • Bishop Sebastian Thekethecheril (May 8, 2006 – present)
  • Bishop Peter Thuruthikonam (May 5, 1988 – May 8, 2006)
  • Bishop Cornelius Elanjikal (later Archbishop) (January 16, 1971 – January 26, 1987)
  • Bishop John Ambrose Abasolo y Lecue, O.C.D. (December 25, 1949 – January 16, 1971)
  • Bishop Domenico Grassi, P.I.M.E. (December 3, 1938 – May 9, 1951)
  • Bishop Domenico Grassi, P.I.M.E. (Apostolic Administrator April 13, 1937 – December 3, 1938)
  • Bishop Domenico Grassi, P.I.M.E. (1933 – April 13, 1937)
  • Bishop Juan Vicente Arana Idígoras, O.C.D. (March 24, 1931 – June 14, 1946)

History

By the apostolic Bull Ad Christi Nomen, His Holiness Pope Pius XI bifurcated the Archdiocese of Verapoly and erected the Diocese of Vijayapuram on July 14, 1930. The headquarters of the diocese is in Kottayam Municipal Town. As there is an Oriental Catholic Diocese named Kottayam since 1887, the formators decided to name the new diocese Vijayapuram, because it was the name of the Panchayath adjacent to Kottayam town and it was the centre of the Church activities of the Diocese. Vijayapuram is characterized by its multiple specialties. It comprises the entire civil districts of Kottayam, Idukki and partial portions comprises the entire civil districts of Kottayam, Idukki and partial portions of the districts of Alleppey, Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta.

Many factors facilitated the formation of this diocese. The presence of Latin Catholics in this area is due to rapid migration from within and outside the state. The first phase of the migration started in the middle of the 18th century when Latin Catholics from the Diocese of Cochin came to Vaisiambhagom, Nedumudy, Kanjpadam and its vicinities. The second phase began at the first half of the 19th century, when people from different parishes of Quilon reached Maramon, Ranny, Vanavathukkara, Thiruvalla, Changanacherry and Poovam. The third phase started by the second half of the 19th century when the high ranges of the eastern side began to be used for cultivation tea. People from Verapoly, Cochin and from different parts of Tamilnadu settled down in this area for different jobs. The arrival of Brother Rockey Palackal, OCD, at the end of the 19th century geared upon the fourth phase of the history of the Diocese of Vijayapuram. Brother Rockey, as a zealous father, worked hard in Kottayam, Thellakom, Chengalam and Kumarakom and preached the Good News to the native people, especially among the so-called low castes. He opted to serve the poor, sidelined, marginalized and downtrodden and thus secured the name "Apostle of the Outcastes".

The area Church work of the Archdiocese of Verapoly entrusted to the Carmelites was created to be the Diocese of Vijayapuram. The administration was in the hands of the Carmelites of the Navara Province.

Address

Vijayapuram Bishop's House P. Box 82 Kottayam - 686 001 Kerala.

Tel: [phone] (O), 25 65 863 (P) Fax: [phone]

Languages spoken: Malayalam and Tamil Revenue districts: Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Alleppey, Pathanamthitta

Statistics

• Diocesan Clergy: 100
• Religious Priests: 39
• Religious Brothers: 14
• Religious Women: 429
• No. of Parishes: 73
• Houses of Women Religious: 58
• Houses of Men Religious: 16

Formation Houses

• Minor Seminaries: 06

Educational Institutions

• B. Ed. Colleges: 01
• Students: 120
• Colleges: 01
• Students: 123
• Technical Institutions: 01
• Students: 25
• Collegiates (P.U.C.): 01
• Students: 73
• Sr. Secondary Schools (10+2): 04
• Students: 1,206
• High Schools (10th std.): 14
• Students: 13,235
• Primary Schools: 39
• Students: 24,909
• Hospitals: 05
• Beds: 250
• Dispensaries: 06
• Beneficiaries (Annual): 80200
• Other Institutions: 39
• Beneficiaries (Annual): 2929

References

• Giga-Catholic Information
• Catholic Hierarchy
• Catholic Bishops' Conference of India
• Vijayapuram Corporate Educational Agency
• Vijayapuram Social Service Society