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2026-04-24T14:46:07Z

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{{Short description|Eastern Catholic eparchy in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox diocese
|jurisdiction = Eparchy
|name = Kanjirapally
|local =
|image =
|caption = St. Dominic's Syro Malabar Catholic Cathedral Church, Kanjirappally
|country = {{flag|India}}
|province = [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Changanassery|Metropolitan Province of Changanassery]]
|metropolitan =
|rite = [[East Syriac Rite]]
|cathedral = Cathedral of St Dominic in [[Kanjirappally]]
|cocathedral =
|established = 26 February 1977
|patron = [[Mary, mother of Jesus]]
|parishes =
|area_km2 = 1,980
|population = 1,383,000
|population_as_of = 2011
|catholics = 228,700
|catholics_percent= 16.5
|pope = {{incumbent pope}}
|metro_archbishop = [[Thomas Tharayil (archbishop of Changanassery)|Mar Thomas Tharayil]] {{Lang|syc| }}
|coadjutor =
|bishop = [[Jose Pulickal]] {{Lang|syc| ܡܵܪܝ ܝܵܘܣܹܦ ܐܲܦܸܣܩܘܿܦܵܐ }}
|major_archbishop = [[Raphael Thattil]]
|auxiliary_bishops=
|emeritus_bishops = Mathew Vattackuzhy (1987–2000) Mathew Arackal (2001-2020)
|website = [https://kanjirapallydiocese.com/home/index.php Website of the Diocese]
|churches=|dissolved=|founded=|sui_iuris_church=|flag=|denomination=[[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]|headquarters=|territory=|coat=Kanjirappally_diocese.jpeg|language=}}

The '''Eparchy of Kanjirappally''' is a [[Syro-Malabar Catholic]] eparchy with an area of 1980 km2 comprising the [[Kanjirappally]] taluk in [[Kottayam district]] and a few villages of the neighbouring taluks in Kottayam district, northern [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]] district, and parts of [[Idukki district|Idukki]] district of central Kerala in [[South India]].

The Eparchy of Kanjirappally-Nilackal was erected by [[Pope Paul VI]] with the [[Papal bull|bull]] "Nos Beati Petri Successores" in February 1977, which separated the eastern part of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Changanassery|Archeparchy of Changanassery]] and erected the new eparchy of Kanjirapally-Nilackal, as a [[Suffragan diocese|suffragan]] of the same Archeparchy. [[Jose Pulickal]] is the current bishop, serving since January 2020. [[Mathew Arackal]] is the bishop emeritus of the eparchy, who served from 2001 to 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kanjirapallydiocese.com/ |title=Eparchy of Kanjirapally |publisher=Kanjirapallydiocese.com |date= |accessdate=2020-02-26}}</ref>
Mary Matha Minor seminary is the heart of kanjirapally diocese.

[[File:Mar Mathew Arackal with Pope.jpg|thumb|Mathew Arackal, Bishop of Kanjirapally, with Pope Benedict XVI.]]

== Prelates ==
''' Eparchs of Kanjirappally'''
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Sl.no
! Name
! Designation
! Year of appointment
! Last year of service
|-
| 1
| [[Joseph Powathil]]
| align="center" |Bishop
| align="center" |1977
| align="center" |1985
|-
| 2
| [[Mathew Vattackuzhy]]
| align="center" |Bishop
| align="center" |1986
| align="center" |2000
|-
| 3
| [[Mathew Arackal]]
| align="center" |Bishop
| align="center" |2000
| align="center" |2020
|-
| 4
| [[Jose Pulickal]]
| align="center" |Bishop
| align="center" | 2020
| align="center" |''present''
|}

''' Prelates Hailing From Diocese'''
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Sl.no
! Name
! Designation
! Year of appointment
! Last year of service
|-
| 1
| [[Thomas Kozhimala]]
| align="center" | Former Bishop - Bhagalpur
| align="center" | 1996
| align="center" | 2005
|-
| 2
| [[Mathai Kochuparampil SDB]]
| align="center" | Former Bishop - Dimphu
| align="center" | 1983
| align="center" | 1992
|-
| 3
| [[Sebastian Vaniyapurackal]]
| align="center" | Archbishop - Kalyan
| align="center" | 2025
| align="center" | ''Present''
|-
| 4
| [[Sibi Mathew Peedikayil HGN]]
| align="center" | Bishop - Aitape
| align="center" | 2021
| align="center" | ''Present''
|-
| 5
| [[Joseph Kallarackal]]
| align="center" | Bishop - Jaipur
| align="center" | 2023
| align="center" | ''Present''
|}

==List of Parishes==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!ID
!Place
!Name
!Estd
!Tele
!Families
!Population
!H Families
!H Populations
|-
|1
|Alampally
|St. Dominic
|1965
|4869246252
|95
|475
|0
|0
|-
|2
|Amalagiri
|St. Thomas
|1962
|4869280177
|145
|640
|0
|0
|-
|3
|Amaravathy
|St. Joseph
|1961
|04869-222421
|220
|941
|7
|43
|-
|4
|Anakkal
|St. Antony
|1940
|4828202567
|580
|2350
|60
|382
|-
|5
|Anakkara
|St. Thomas
|1952
|4868282244
|684
|2980
|82
|334
|-
|6
|[[Anavilasam]]
|St. George
|1967
|4869263326
|215
|1020
|4
|17
|-
|7
|Anchilippa
|St. Pius
|1955
|4828202666
|292
|1376
|17
|50
|-
|8
|Angelvalley
|St. Mary
|1996
|4828214460
|285
|1333
|0
|0
|-
|9
|Anickad
|St. Mary
|1860
|4812551303
|689
|3476
|129
|635
|-
|10
|Aniyartholu
|St. Thomas
|1996
|4868270020
|40
|183
|0
|0
|-
|11
|Azhangad
|St. Antony
|1960
|4869280097
|98
|500
|0
|0
|-
|12
|Bethani Hills
|St. Mary
|1960
|4735270470
|31
|143
|0
|0
|-
|13
|Chakkupallam
|Carmala Matha
|1998
|4868282218
|210
|1063
|1
|4
|-
|14
|Chamampathal
|Fathima Matha
|1988
|4812457106
|180
|742
|13
|48
|-
|15
|Chellarcoil
|Mar Sleeva
|1995
|4868282890
|245
|1146
|10
|42
|-
|16
|Chembalam
|St. Mary
|1953
|4868232522
|196
|990
|2
|9
|-
|17
|Chemmannu
|St. Thomas
|1952
|4869242326
|222
|1000
|8
|40
|-
|18
|Chempanoly
|St. Sebastain
|1953
|4735265933
|108
|602
|6
|24
|-
|19
|[[Chengalam]]
|[[Anthony of Padua|St. Antony]]
|1913
|4812704332
|650
|3245
|110
|654
|-
|20
|Chenkal
|Sacred Heart
|1930
|4828221413
|358
|1802
|5
|32
|-
|21
|Chennakunnu
|St. George
|2002
|4828228268
|122
|531
|0
|0
|-
|22
|Cheruvallikulam
|St. George
|1973
|4869288022
|162
|672
|1
|0
|-
|23
|Cheruvally
|St. Mary
|1913
|4828247451
|342
|1684
|0
|0
|-
|24
|Chinnar
|St. George
|1957
|4869242354
|146
|670
|4
|21
|-
|25
|Christunagar
|St. George
|1962
|4869288040
|103
|487
|0
|0
|-
|26
|Cumbummettu
|St. Joseph
|1964
|4868279226
|290
|1289
|30
|122
|-
|27
|Edakkunnam
|Mary Matha
|2003
|4828270191
|117
|540
|5
|24
|-
|28
|Edamon
|St. Mary
|1963
|4735260407
|110
|471
|1
|3
|-
|29
|Elamgulam
|St. Mary
|1895
|4828226369
|560
|2824
|35
|154
|-
|30
|Elangoi
|Holy Cross
|1922
|4812456343
|227
|1017
|0
|0
|-
|31
|Elappara-Pallikunnu
|St. Alphonsa
|1993
|4869232497
|75
|400
|4
|20
|-
|32
|Elikkulam
|Infant Jesus
|1908
|4822225319
|398
|1600
|0
|0
|-
|33
|Elivalikkara
|St. Antony
|1985
|4828255145
|132
|579
|2
|9
|-
|34
|Erumely
|Assumption Forane
|1952
|4828210343
|354
|1784
|1
|5
|-
|35
|Grace Mount
|Grace Matha
|2000
|4869325627
|78
|298
|2
|9
|-
|36
|Greenvalley
|Infant Jesus
|2006
|4868228500
|67
|280
|6
|26
|-
|37
|[[Inchiyani]]
|Holy Family
|1938
|4828272951
|268
|1430
|1
|3
|-
|38
|Kalthotty
|Holy Family
|1953
|4868271318
|410
|2050
|3
|24
|-
|39
|Kanamala
|St. Thomas
|1956
|4828214235
|300
|1363
|3
|13
|-
|40
|Kanayankavayal
|St. Mary
|1953
|4869288169
|330
|1551
|1
|12
|-
|41
|Kanchiyar
|St. Mary
|1953
|4868271308
|330
|1024
|8
|24
|-
|42
|Kanjirapally
|St. Dominic Cathedral
|1450
|04828-202343,204643
|1252
|10354
|84
|425
|-
|43
|Kannampally
|St. Mary
|1950
|4735270275
|134
|619
|0
|0
|-
|44
|Kannimala
|St. Joseph
|1953
|4828210301
|225
|1200
|11
|65
|-
|45
|Kappadu
|Holy Cross
|1923
|4828235339
|765
|3825
|66
|330
|-
|46
|Karikkattoor
|St. Antony
|1987
|4828247551
|190
|447
|2
|8
|-
|47
|Karikulam
|Fathima Matha
|1950
|4828251213
|173
|665
|66
|116
|-
|48
|Karunapuram
|St. Mary
|1960
|4868279334
|188
|834
|0
|0
|-
|49
|Kattappana
|St. George
|1953
|4868272231
|963
|4228
|18
|45
|-
|50
|Keerikkara
|St. Antony
|1979
|4869258499
|118
|611
|0
|0
|-
|51
|Kochera
|St. Joseph
|1960
|4868285017
|281
|1054
|15
|64
|-
|52
|Kochuthovala
|St. Joseph
|1985
|4868272342
|172
|800
|5
|37
|-
|53
|Kollamula
|Maria Goretti
|1954
|4735264135
|530
|2597
|7
|33
|-
|54
|Konni
|St. Jude
|2000
|4682340554
|20
|65
|0
|0
|-
|55
|Koothattukulam
|Assumption
|1963
|4735255408
|34
|200
|5
|30
|-
|56
|Koovapally
|St. Joseph
|1956
|4828251126
|550
|2825
|50
|252
|-
|57
|Koratty Puthenpally
|St. Joseph
|1951
|4828210417
|273
|1410
|7
|64
|-
|58
|Koruthodu
|St. George
|1954
|4828280235
|675
|3069
|32
|138
|-
|59
|Kozhanchery
|Holy Family
|2005
|4735200568
|30
|100
|0
|0
|-
|60
|Kumily - Attappallam
|St. Thomas
|1953
|4869222091
|680
|3102
|5
|28
|-
|61
|Kunnumbhagam
|St. Joseph
|1961
|4828202681
|300
|2000
|10
|45
|-
|62
|Kurumpanmoozhy
|St. Thomas
|1996
|4735263666
|191
|840
|1
|2
|-
|63
|Kuzhitholu
|St. Sebastian
|1960
|4868279208
|288
|1421
|33
|227
|-
|64
|Madukka
|St. Mathew
|1997
|4828280449
|270
|1132
|10
|28
|-
|65
|Mailapra
|St. Joseph
|1958
|4682300488
|22
|101
|0
|0
|-
|66
|Mangapetta
|St. Thomas
|1995
|4828278687
|55
|290
|10
|45
|-
|67
|Manipuzha
|Christ The King
|1940
|4828254146
|205
|800
|0
|0
|-
|68
|Mariagiri
|St. Sebastian
|1993
|4869244414
|142
|673
|5
|27
|-
|69
|[[Marykulam]]
|St. George
|1956
|4869244240
|925
|4276
|45
|310
|-
|70
|Meenkuzhy
|Little Flower
|1963
|4735255408
|49
|300
|5
|30
|-
|71
|[[Meloram]]
|St. Sebastian
|1950
|4869280785
|135
|667
|5
|20
|-
|72
|Meppara
|Lourde Matha
|2005
|4868259035
|118
|440
|8
|43
|-
|73
|Mlamala
|Fathima Matha
|1950
|4869258160
|400
|1780
|0
|0
|-
|74
|Mukkoottuthara
|St. Thomas
|1997
|4828254805
|185
|948
|0
|0
|-
|75
|Mukkulam
|St. George
|1941
|4828286167
|210
|1025
|0
|0
|-
|76
|Mulankunnu
|Infant Jesus
|1993
|4869280849
|52
|270
|0
|0
|-
|77
|Mundakayam
|Our Lady of Dolours
|1937
|4828277600
|669
|3188
|29
|166
|-
|78
|Mundiyeruma
|Assumption
|1957
|4868236342
|253
|1248
|6
|30
|-
|79
|Nallathanny
|Holy Family
|2000
|4869288086
|28
|111
|0
|0
|-
|80
|Nariyanpara
|Holy Cross
|2000
|4868250561
|108
|445
|0
|0
|-
|81
|Nasranipuram
|St. Mathew
|1953
|4869222272
|154
|745
|1
|4
|-
|82
|Nettithozhu
|St. Isidore
|1953
|4868285236
|420
|1921
|0
|0
|-
|83
|Neyyattussery
|St. George
|1955
|4828221658
|220
|960
|12
|52
|-
|84
|Niarvu
|St. Mary
|2005
|4735265337
|69
|318
|0
|0
|-
|85
|[[Mar Thoma Sleeha Church Thulappally|Nilackal - Thulappally]]
|[[Thomas the Apostle|Marthoma Sleeha]]
|1956
|4735244327
|314
|1668
|5
|32
|-
|86
|Nirmalagiri
|St. Antony
|1963
|4869280269
|107
|557
|10
|58
|-
|87
|Nirmalapuram
|Holy Family
|1963
|4868270101
|44
|241
|0
|0
|-
|88
|Padanilam
|St. Sebastian
|2005
|4828228138
|62
|271
|1
|4
|-
|89
|Palampra
|Gethsemene
|1986
|4828202205
|198
|1192
|12
|42
|-
|90
|Palapra
|Vimala Matha
|1998
|4828270001
|215
|1320
|8
|36
|-
|91
|Paloorkavu
|St. George
|1956
|4869286722
|196
|869
|14
|48
|-
|92
|Pampadumpara
|St. George
|2004
|4868270290
|56
|275
|7
|25
|-
|93
|Panapilavu
|St. Joseph
|1955
|4828254168
|185
|710
|4
|22
|-
|94
|Pathanamthitta
|Mary Matha Forane
|1992
|4682221488
|90
|363
|0
|0
|-
|95
|Pazhaya Koratty
|St. Mary
|1920
|4828216330
|112
|545
|0
|0{{Anchor|Pazhayidom Parish}}
|-
|96
|Pazhayidom
|St. Michael
|1924
|4828262180
|260
|1570
|0
|0
|-
|97
|Peermade
|St. Mary
|1961
|4869232315
|64
|291
|4
|18
|-
|98
|Periyar Vallakadavu
|St. Joseph
|1979
|4869252425
|101
|500
|7
|36
|-
|99
|Perunadu
|St. Jude
|2006
|4735270450
|49
|215
|0
|0
|-
|100
|Perunthenaruvi
|St. Joseph
|1963
|4735270450
|40
|215
|0
|0
|-
|101
|Peruvanthanam
|St. Joseph
|1935
|4869280095
|194
|907
|1
|9
|-
|102
|Pezhumpara
|Sacred Heart
|1963
|4735252493
|110
|470
|0
|0
|-
|103
|Plachery
|Fathima Matha
|1952
|4735260407
|52
|215
|0
|0
|-
|104
|Podimattam
|St. Mary
|1937
|4828234026
|475
|2900
|18
|75
|-
|105
|Ponkunnam
|Holy Family
|1891
|4828221368
|925
|4032
|85
|246
|-
|106
|Poomattam
|St. Thomas
|2003
|4828252037
|64
|285
|9
|25
|-
|107
|Pulianmala
|St. Antony
|1994
|4868270263
|203
|820
|5
|12
|-
|108
|Pulinkatta
|St. George
|1960
|4869246252
|175
|700
|7
|30
|-
|109
|Pullikkanam
|St. Thomas
|1965
|4869248283
|68
|322
|0
|0
|-
|110
|Punchavayal
|St. Sebastian
|1978
|4828278839
|380
|1800
|16
|20
|-
|111
|Purakkayam
|St. Joseph
|1991
|4869288075
|48
|246
|1
|4
|-
|112
|Puttady
|Velankanny Matha
|2000
|4868277581
|198
|838
|5
|18
|-
|113
|Rajagiri
|Christu Raj
|1963
|4869240030
|264
|1101
|15
|116
|-
|114
|Ramakkalmettu
|Sacred Heart
|1978
|4868236539
|170
|814
|3
|13
|-
|115
|Ranni
|Infant Jesus Forane
|2000
|4735225962
|115
|395
|2
|12
|-
|116
|Santhigiri
|St. George
|1996
|4868282763
|110
|454
|4
|17
|-
|117
|Sanyasioda
|Infant Jesus
|2005
|4868223361
|61
|237
|0
|0
|-
|118
|Seethathodu
|St. George
|1963
|4735258211
|76
|312
|3
|15
|-
|119
|Swaraj
|St. Paul
|2000
|4868271647
|183
|739
|21
|127
|-
|120
|Thamarakunnu
|St. Ephrem
|1891
|4828230645
|591
|3450
|9
|45
|-
|121
|Thampalackadu
|St. Thomas
|1912
|4828226150
|269
|1290
|15
|125
|-
|122
|Tharakanattukunnu
|St. Antony
|1927
|4828262139
|286
|1420
|2
|8
|-
|123
|Thekkemala
|St. Mary
|1952
|4869286727
|340
|1581
|1
|5
|-
|124
|Third Camp
|St. Joseph
|1983
|4868236422
|130
|601
|0
|0
|-
|125
|Uluppooni
|St. Alphonsa
|2000
|4869248537
|29
|128
|0
|0
|-
|126
|Umikuppa
|Lourde Matha
|1954
|4828214275
|300
|1400
|2
|8
|-
|127
|Upputhara
|St. Mary Forane
|1919
|4869244222
|640
|2654
|42
|169
|-
|128
|Vadakkemala
|St. Sebastian
|1975
|9387662196
|68
|328
|2
|7
|-
|129
|Vakayar
|Infant Jesus
|2005
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
|130
|Valiyathovala
|Christ Raj
|1952
|4868276210
|512
|2290
|17
|80
|-
|131
|Vallakadavu
|St. Antony
|1959
|4868272302
|520
|2302
|27
|115
|-
|132
|Vanchimala
|St. Antony
|1991
|4828235102
|137
|693
|8
|61
|-
|133
|Vandanmedu
|St. Antony
|1953
|4868277047
|250
|1100
|7
|33
|-
|134
|Vandanpathal
|St. Paul
|1966
|4828272249
|220
|850
|5
|20
|-
|135
|Vechoochira
|St. Joseph
|1983
|4735265337
|246
|1405
|7
|7
|-
|136
|Velichiyani
|St. Thomas
|1925
|4828270414
|645
|3225
|65
|277
|-
|137
|Vellaramkunnu
|St. Mary
|1955
|4869263356
|567
|2653
|17
|78
|-
|138
|Wallardy
|Holy Cross
|1969
|4869252352
|164
|788
|0
|0
|}
<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Parishes|url=http://kanjirapallydiocese.com/kply/parish.php?pa_place=|website=kanjirapallydiocese.com/}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

==Saints and causes for canonisation==
* Servant of God Bernhard Thanhauser (Fortunatus)<ref name="CCBI">{{cite web|url=http://ccbi.in/saints-blessed/|title=Saints & Blessed – CCBI|accessdate=Oct 17, 2019|archive-date=18 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218103142/http://ccbi.in/saints-blessed/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Saint Thomas Christian]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.kanjirapallydiocese.com/ Diocese of Kanjirappally]
*[http://www.thesyromalabarchurch.org/kanjirappally.htm Church profile]
*[http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dknsm.html Catholic-Hierarchy entry]

{{Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Hierarchy}}
{{Christianity in Kerala}}

{{coord missing|Kerala}}

[[Category:Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Kanjirappally| ]]
[[Category:Eastern Catholic dioceses in India|Kanjirappally]]
[[Category:Syro-Malabar Catholic dioceses|Kanjirappally]]
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1977]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic dioceses and prelatures established in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Dioceses in Kerala]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Churches in Kottayam district]]

Eparchy of Kanjirappally - Revision history

PaulineBarwell2 at 14:46, 24 April 2026