https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Diocese_of_VijayapuramDiocese of Vijayapuram - Revision history2026-07-31T12:40:02ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Diocese_of_Vijayapuram&diff=497310&oldid=prevThanhBertie49 at 18:03, 24 March 20262026-03-24T18:03:36Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Roman Catholic diocese in Kerala, India}}<br />
{{more citations needed|date=December 2019}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}<br />
{{Infobox diocese<br />
|jurisdiction = Diocese <br />
|name = Vijayapuram <br />
|latin = Dioecesis Viiayapuramensis<br />
|local = വിജയപുരം രൂപത<br />
|image = Immaculate Heart of Mary Vimalagiri Cathedral Kottayam.jpg <br />
|caption = Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral <br />
|country = [[India]]<br />
|metropolitan = [[Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Verapoly|Verapoly]] <br />
|province = [[Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Verapoly|Verapoly]] <br />
|coordinates = {{Coord|9|35|31|N|76|32|0|E}}<br />
|rite = [[Roman Rite]] <br />
|cathedral = [[Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral]] in [[Kottayam]]<br />
|cocathedral = <br />
|established = 14 July 1930<br />
|patron = [[Immaculate Heart of Mary]]<br />
|parishes = 84<br />
|area_km2 = 9,000 <br />
|population = 3,864,879<br />
|population_as_of = 2010 <br />
|catholics = 79,021<br />
|catholics_percent= 2 <br />
|pope = {{Incumbent pope}}<br />
|bishop = [[Sebastian Thekethecheril]] <br />
|coadjutor = <br />
| metro_archbishop = [[Joseph Kalathiparambil]]<br />
|vicar_general = <br />
|auxiliary_bishops= Justin Alexander Madathiparambil<br />
|website = [http://www.vijayapuramdiocese.org/ Website of the Diocese] <br />
}}<br />
The '''Roman Catholic Diocese of Vijayapuram''' ({{langx|la|Viiayapuramen(sis)}}) is a [[diocese]] located in the city of [[Kottayam]] in the [[ecclesiastical province]] of [[Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Verapoly|Verapoly]] in India.<br />
<br />
==History==<br />
The Diocese of Vijayapuram was established on 14 July 1930 from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Verapoly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dvija.html |title=Diocese of Vijayapuram |work=[[Catholic-Hierarchy.org]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Leadership==<br />
* [[Bishop]]s of Vijayapuram ([[Latin Church|Roman Rite]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/vija0.htm |title=Diocese of Vijayapuram, India |work=GCatholic.org}}</ref><br />
** Bishop Sebastian Thekethecheril (8 May 2006 – present)<br />
** Bishop [[Peter Thuruthikonam]] (5 May 1988 – 8 May 2006)<br />
** Bishop [[Cornelius Elanjikal]] (later Archbishop) (16 January 1971 – 26 January 1987)<br />
** Bishop [[John Ambrose Abasolo y Lecue]], [[Discalced Carmelites|OCD]] (25 December 1949 – 16 January 1971)<br />
** Bishop [[Domenico Grassi]], (3 December 1938 – 9 May 1951)<br />
** Bishop Domenico Grassi, (Apostolic Administrator 13 April 1937 – 3 December 1938)<br />
** Bishop Domenico Grassi, (1933 – 13 April 1937)<br />
** Bishop [[Juan Vicente Arana Idígoras]], OCD (24 March 1931 – 14 June 1946)<br />
<br />
== History ==<br />
With the [[papal bull|bull]] ''Ad Christi Nomen'', [[Pope Pius XI]] bifurcated the Archdiocese of Verapoly and erected the Diocese of Vijayapuram on 14 July 1930.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbci.in/DiocesesofIndiaDisp.aspx |title=Dioceses of India: Vijayapuram |publisher=[[Catholic Bishops' Conference of India]] |accessdate=2013-10-31}}</ref> 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 of the districts of [[Alleppey]], [[Pathanamthitta]], and [[Ernakulam]].<br />
<br />
Many factors facilitated the formation of this diocese. The presence of Roman 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 [[Tamil Nadu]] 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. He opted to serve the poor, sidelined, marginalized and downtrodden and thus secured the name "Apostle of the Outcastes".<br />
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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]].<br />
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Languages spoken: [[Malayalam]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]]<br />
Revenue districts: Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Alleppey, Pathanamthitta<br />
<br />
===Statistics===<br />
* Diocesan Clergy: 100<br />
* Religious Priests: 39<br />
* Religious Brothers: 14<br />
* Religious Women: 429<br />
* No. of Parishes: 73<br />
* Houses of Women Religious: 58<br />
* Houses of Men Religious: 16<br />
<br />
===Formation houses===<br />
* Minor Seminaries: 05<br />
<br />
===Educational institutions===<br />
* B.Ed. Colleges: 01<br />
* Students: 120<br />
* Colleges: 01<br />
* Students: 123<br />
* Technical Institutions: 01<br />
* Students: 25<br />
* Collegiates (P.U.C.): 01<br />
* Students: 73<br />
* Sr. Secondary Schools (10+2): 04<br />
* Students: 1,206<br />
* High Schools (10th std.): 14<br />
* Students: 13,235<br />
* Primary Schools: 39<br />
* Students: 24,909<br />
* Hospitals: 05<br />
* Beds: 250<br />
* Dispensaries: 06<br />
* Beneficiaries (Annual): 80200<br />
* Other Institutions: 39<br />
* Beneficiaries (Annual): 2929<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
*{{Official website}}<br />
*[http://www.vijayapuramcorporate.org/ Vijayapuram Corporate Educational Agency] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603021830/http://www.vijayapuramcorporate.org/ |date=3 June 2009 }}<br />
*[http://www.vsss.in/ Vijayapuram Social Service Society]<br />
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{{Christianity in Kerala|state=collapsed}}<br />
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{{authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vijayapuram}}<br />
[[Category:Roman Catholic dioceses in India]]<br />
[[Category:Dioceses in Kerala]]<br />
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1930]]<br />
[[Category:Roman Catholic dioceses and prelatures established in the 20th century]]<br />
[[Category:1930 establishments in India]]<br />
[[Category:Churches in Kottayam district]]</div>ThanhBertie49