Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Kothamangalam

Eparchy of Kothamangalam കോതമംഗലം രൂപത
Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry at St. George Cathedral, Kothamangalam
Coat of arms
Location
Country	India
Ecclesiastical province	Ernakulam-Angamaly
Statistics
Area	4,840 km2 (1,870 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2011) 748,920 219,800 (29.3%)
Parishes	116
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Sui iuris church	Syro-Malabar Church
Rite	East Syriac Rite
Established	29 July 1956
Cathedral	St. George Cathedral, Kothamangalam, Kerala
Patron saint	Immaculate Heart of Mary
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Major Archbishop	Raphael Thattil
Bishop	George Madathikandathil
Bishops emeritus	George Punnakottil (1977-2013)
Website
Website of the Diocese

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.

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.

List of eparchial ordinaries

Ordinary	Authority	Year of appointment	Last year of service
Mathew Pothanamuzhi	Bishop	1956	1977
George Punnakottil	Bishop	1977	2013
George Madathikandathil	Bishop	2013

Foranes & Parishes

Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry during the Episcopal Ordination of Mar George Madathikandathil as the Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Kothamangalam

1. Kothamangalam Forane (St George Cathedral Forane church)

1. Kothamangalam
2. Injoor
3. Kallelimedu
4. Keerampara
5. Kottapady
6. Kuruppampady
7. Kutthunkal
8. Kuttampuzha
9. Malippara
10. Manikandamchal
11. Mathirappilly
12. Nadukani
13. Nedungapra
14. Nellimattom
15. Njayappilly
16. Pooyamkutty
17. Thrikkariyoor
18. Urulanthanni
19. Vadattupara
20. Veliyelchaal
21. Vettampara
22. Allungal
23. Muttathuppara

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

Priests

Priests belonging to the Eparchy	226
Priests working outside	46
Priests out for studies	8
Priests Retired	25

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