Diocese at a glance

       Bl. Kuriakose Elias Chavara
Born (Kainakary) 10-12-1805
Ordained (Pallipuram Seminary)11-1829
Died (Koonammavu) 03-01-1871

Bl. Alponsa Muttathupadam
Born (Kudamaloor) 18-09-1910
Vestition and Profession19-05-1930
Died (Bharananganam) 28-07-1946

Beatification: (Pope John Paul II) 08-02-1986
Servants of God from the Archdiocese

Bishop Thomas Kurialassery(1873-1925)
Rev. Dr. Lukas Vithuvattickal (Postul.)
Rev. Sr. Espirit SABS (Vice Postul.)
Cause Initiated

Archbishop Mathew Kavukattu (1904-1969)
Rev. Dr. Mathew Madathikunnel (Postul.)
Rev. Fr. Jacob Kattoor (Vice Postul.)
Cause Initiated: 1991

A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST

The Apostolic church of St. Thomas Christians has its origin from St. Thomas , the apostle, who arrived on the Kerala Coast in A.D.52. The Metropolitan of "The See of St. Thomas" was "Metropolitan and Gate of all India". In the course of history this Church entered into hierarchical relationship with the East Syrian Church and became an autonomous Metropolitan See under the East Syrian Patriarch in communion with the Apostolic see of Rome. The "Archdeacon of all India" did the administration.

The Portuguese missionaries who arrived in the 15th century could not tolerate the liturgical traditions and the mode of governance of this church. They latinized our ancient liturgical texts. When the domination of the Portuguese missionaries became unbearable, a section of this community broke away from the Western supremacy in 1653.They constitute the present Malankara Orthodox Churches. We are the descendants of those who maintained loyalty to the Apostolic See of Rome.

The Archdiocese of Changanassery is one of the first two Vicariates and the second Metropolitan Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, after the establishment of the Syro-Malabar hierarchy which was the prelude to the restoration of the identity of the Church in1992 as Sui Juis Church, thanks to the untiring efforts of our forefathers.

It comprises the civil districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram in the state of Kerala, India.

Total Area:               8450 sq. kms
Total Population:      92,54,161
Catholic Population:   3,80,000
Families:                     60,000

(Since this is a quadruple jurisdiction area there are approximately 2 lakhs Syro Malankara Catholics (Thiruvananthapuram and Thiruvalla Dioceses) and 7.5 lakhs Latin Catholics (Alappuzha, Vijayapuram, Punalur, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Neyyattinkara Dioceses) and 10000 suddists (Kottayam diocese.)

Suffragans:

Pala			Kottayam
Kanjirappally			Thuckalay

Pope Leo XIII of happy memory by his Bull 'Quod Jam Pridem' dated May 20, 1887 established two Vicariates Apostolic of Kottayam and Thrissur exclusively for the Syro-Malabarians and Dr. Charles Lavigne and Dr. Adolph Medlycott respectively were appointed the Vicars Apostolic.

The same Pope reorganised the existing Vicariates by the Bull 'Quae Rei Sacrae' dated July 28, 1896 establishing a new vicariate, Ernakulam, with territories carved out from the two existing Vicariates (Pallippuram, Edappally and Arakuzha divisions from Kottayam Vicariate).

The Vicariate of Kottayam was renamed Changanacherry, since this town had been the centre of Catholic activity, (eg: the Convocation of the Changanassery Synod in 1888) and hence its headquarters had been shifted to Changanacherry in 1891. Indigenous bishops were appointed Vicars Apostolic to the new Sees. They were Mar Mathew Makil for Changanacherry, Mar Louis Pazheparambil (from Changanassery Vicariate) for Ernakulam and Mar John Menacherry for Thrissur.

A new Vicariate of Kottayam was constituted in1911 exclusively for the Suddists and Mar Mathew Makil was transferred to Kottayam as the Vicar Apostolic of Suddists and Mar Thomas Kurialacherry was appointed the Vicar Apostolic of Changanacherry. With the establishment of the Syro-Malabar Hierarchy on December 21, 1923 by the Bull 'Romani Pontifices' of Pope Pius XI, the Diocese of Thrissur, Changanassery and Kottayam became suffragans of the archdiocese of Ernakulam thereby constituting the first Syro-Malabar Province. On July 25, 1950 the Diocese of Changanacherry was bifurcated by the Bull 'Quo Ecclesiarum' of Pope Pius XII and the new Diocese of Palai was created.

The Holy See being impressed by the wonderful progress achieved by the Syro-Malabarians, extended the hitherto held boundaries of Changanacherry to the areas south of river Pamba, up to (including) Kanyakumari, by the Bull 'Multorum Fidelium' of Pope Pius XII, dated April29, 1955.

Changanassery was raised to the status of an archdiocese on July 26, 1956 by Pope Pius XII constituting the second province in the Syro-Malabar Church and Kottayam and Pala became its suffragans. The Apostolic Constitution 'Regnum Caelorum' of November 26, 1959 of Pope John XXIII gave effect to this decision .

The Archdiocese was again divided on 26th February 1977 by the Bull 'Nos Beati Petri' of Pope Paul VI and the new Diocese of Kanjirappilly was set up comprising parts of the Civil districts of Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta.

The Archdiocese was divided a fifth time when its Kanyakumari Mission was elevated to the status of a new diocese by the Bull Apud Indorum Gentes of John Paul II, dated December 18, 1996. The formal inauguration of the new diocese of Thuckalay and the Episcopal Ordination of Mar George Alenchery as its first Bishop took place on February 2, 1997.

In 1975 the missionary work of three (now five) civil districts of the Archdiocese of Agra in the State of Uttar Pradesh was taken up completely by the Archdiocese of Changanasserry.



Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry (Kottayam)	Mar Mathew Moolakkatt (Kottayam)	Mar Joseph Kallarangatt (Pala)


Mar George Alencherry (Thuckalay)	Mar Mathew Arackal (Kanjirappally)	Mar Mathew Vattakkuzhiyil (Kanjirappally)

The Metropolitan Archbishop: Mar Joseph Perumthottam

Born on July 5, 1948, at Punnathura, Joseph had his education in St. Joseph's High School, Punnathura and St. Berchmans' College, Changanassery. Completing his seminary studies at St. Thomas Petit Seminary, Changanassery and St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam, he was ordained priest on 18 December 1974 by Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil, then auxiliary bishop of Changanacherry. After his ministry as assistant parish priest for a few years he was appointed in 1979 as Director of Sandesanilayam, the Catechetical Centre of the Archdiocese and Chaplain of Catholic Workers' Movement of the Archdiocese. In the Catechetical field, he introduced many training programmes, including Catechetical Leaders' Training (CLT), which is being continued to this day by Sandesanilayam.

In 1983 he was sent for higher studies, at Gregorian University Rome where he took doctorate in Church History. Back from Rome, in 1989 he was appointed professor of St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary Vadavathoor and Missionary Orientation Centre, Manganam, Kottayam and vicar of St. Sebastian's Church, Kodinattumkunnu. During this period he was instrumental in starting Marthoma Vidyanikethan at Changanacherry, the higher institute of religious sciences for the laity at the initiative and active support of Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil.

. In 1983 he was sent for higher studies, at Gregorian University Rome where he took doctorate in Church History. Back from Rome, in 1989 he was appointed professor of St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary Vadavathoor and Missionary Orientation Centre, Manganam, Kottayam and vicar of St. Sebastian's Church, Kodinattumkunnu. During this period he was instrumental in starting Marthoma Vidyanikethan at Changanacherry, the higher institute of religious sciences for the laity at the initiative and active support of Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil. This institute is a unique venture affiliated to Paurastya Vidyapitam, Vadavthoor, conferring P.G. degree recognized by the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome and Rev. Dr. Joseph Perumthottam has been at its helm for the last one decade. Simultaneously he has been vicar of Mar Sleeba Church, Ponga. He was nominated auxiliary bishop on 24 April 2002 and was ordained bishop by Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil at St. Mary's Metropolitan Church, Changanacherry, on 20 May 2002, the 116th anniversary of the Archdiocese.

Bishop Perumthottam was appointed Archbishop of Changanassery on January 22nd, 2007 and he assumed charge on March 19th, 2007

Mar Joseph Powathil (Archbishop Emeritus)

A profile of Ministry in 'Truth and Charity' Click for more

Born on August 14, 1930 P.J. Joseph had his primary education in Holy Family L.P. School and St. Peter's U.P. School, Kurumpanadom and High School education in St. Berchman's High School Changanassery. He had his higher studies in S.B. College Changanassery and Loyola College, Madras, from where he took his M.A degree in Economics.

He did his seminary studies in St. Thomas petit seminary, Parel and Papal Seminary Pune. After Ordination on 3rd October 1962 at Pune he was appointed lecturer in Economics and Warden of St. Joseph's Hostel, St. Berchmans' College, Changanassery. He was on the campus ministry for one decade(1962-1972). During this period he had the advantage of taking a one year course in Developmental Economics at the prestigious Oxford University.That was in 1969.

He took keen interest also in the study of the ancient patrimony of the Syro-Malabar Church and for its restoration in accordance with the directives of Vatican II, as a member of the Central Liturgical Committee of the Church. He was actively involved in the various apostolate of the Archdiocese and was secretary of the Pastoral Council for a short period.

On January 29, 1972 he was nominated Auxiliary Bishop of Changanassery and was ordained bishop by Pope Paul VI on Feb.13, 1972 in Rome. During the five years of his service as Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General (ex officio) introduced many reforms in the Archdiocese in close collaboration with the Archbishop Mar Antony Padiyara.
Realizing the importance of Youth apostolate he took the initiative in establishing a Diocesan Youth Movement called 'Yuvadeepti'. In course of time it spread to all the Dioceses in Kerala leading to the formation of Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM). He was at the forefront in the struggle for educational freedom. He helped the Archbishop in establishing several institutions for the under privileged such as homes for the the mentally retarded and the physically handicapped.

During the next 9 years he was entrusted with the task of nurturing the new born diocese of Kanjirappally to which he was appointed bishop on February 26,1977 and assumed charge on May 12, 1977.
Bishop Powathil was appointed Archbishop of Changanassery on November 16, 1985 and he assumed charge on January 17 the next year. True to his motto, the ministry of Mar Joseph Powathil as bishop and Archbishop has been one of dedication and commitment to 'Truth and Charity'. Past seventy, and thirty years in episcopacy, Mar Powathil's ministry transcends the bounds of the Archdiocese and the people entrusted to his care. He served as President of CBCI (1994-98), Chairman of KCBC (1993-96) & Chairman of Education commision of C.B.C.I. He is at present a member of the Post Synodal Commission for Asia (1998) and Chairman of KCBC Commission for Education, Chairman of commission for Ecumenism of the Syro Malabar Bishops' Synod and founder Chairman of Inter Church Council.

The Syro-Malabar Church in which he was born and brought up was always close to his heart. He was always a devoted son of this Church, and therefore always on the forefront in the struggles for the restoration of its legitimate rights and its identity as an Individual Church.

He did a great deal to promote formation based on this, to priests, religious and the laity (Oriental Study Forum, Dukrana, Christian Orient, Missionary Orientation Centre (MOC), Amala Theological College, Marthoma Vidyanikethan, Zion Retreat House etc.). He also founded an Eastern Monastic congregation - Sisters of St. Thomas (SST). The new priests' Home stands out as a symbol of his care and concern for the elderly and sickly priests.

Archbishop Mar Powathil has been a staunch defender of the teachings of the Magisterium. His concern for the poor, the underprivileged and the marginalized was such that he initiated a number of schemes for their development. The Malanad Development Society and Sahyadri Project in Kanjirappally Diocese, and the various projects of the Changanassery Social Service Society (CHASS) bear ample testimony to this. Worthy of special mention also are the foundation of Bl. Alphonsa Sneha Nivas for street children and Bl. Alphonsa centre for the terminally ill.
Mar Powathil's pastoral outlook is broad and encompasses the non-Catholics and even the non-Christians. He is well known in the Ecumenical Movement (Inter-Church Council, Nilackal Ecumenical Trust) and the Church's fellowship with followers of other religions (Religious Fellowship Foundation).

The source of Mar Joseph Powathil's sense of mission and dedication is undoubtedly his commitment to Truth and Charity, enriched by his solid faith and life in the spirit. Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil retired from his service on 19th March 2007.