Archeparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)

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Bishop(s) Joseph Perumthotttam, Archbishop Joseph Powathil, Archbishop Emeritus Suffragan Dioceses Kanjirapally (Syro-Malabarese) Palai (Syro-Malabarese) Thuckalay (Syro-Malabarese)

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Archeparchy Elevated: 29 July 1956 Metropolitan See Rite: Syro-Malabarese Country: India Square Kilometers: 24,595 (9,499 Square Miles) Official Web Site: http://www.archdiocesechanganacherry.org/ Mailing Address: P.O. Box 20, Changanassery-686101, Kerala, India Telephone: (0481)420.040 Fax: 422.540

Historical Details

• Vicariate Apostolic of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
  • Latin Name: Changanacherrensis
  • Erected: 28 July 1896
  • Vicariate
  • Country: India

• Eparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
  • Latin Name: Changanacherrensis
  • Elevated: 21 December 1923
  • Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly (Syro-Malabarese)
  • Country: India

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Charles Lavigne, S.J. † (13 Sep 1887 Appointed - 11 Jun 1896 Resigned)
• Matthew Makil † (25 Oct 1896 Appointed - 29 Aug 1911 Appointed, Vicar Apostolic of Kottayam (Syro-Malabarese))
• Thomas Kurialachery † (30 Aug 1911 Appointed - 2 Jun 1925 Died)
• James Kalacherry (Kalassery) † (24 Oct 1927 Appointed - 27 Oct 1949 Died)
• Matthew Kavukattu † (25 Jul 1950 Appointed - 9 Oct 1969 Died)
• Antony Padiyara † (14 Jun 1970 Appointed - 23 Apr 1985 Appointed, Archbishop of Ernakulam (Syro-Malabarese))
• Joseph Powathil (5 Nov 1985 Appointed - 22 Jan 2007 Retired)
• Joseph Perumthotttam (22 Jan 2007 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Vicariate Apostolic of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
28 July 1896	Erected		Vicariate Apostolic of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese) (erected)
Eparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
21 December 1923	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)	Eparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
Archeparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
29 July 1956	Elevated	Eparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)	Archeparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
26 February 1977	Territory Lost	Archeparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese) Diocese of Palai (Syro-Malabarese)	Diocese of Kanjirapally (Syro-Malabarese) (erected)
11 November 1996	Territory Lost	Archeparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)	Diocese of Thuckalay (Syro-Malabarese) (erected)

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Eparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
1950	415,925	2,000,000	20.8%	370	124	494	841		140	789	200	ap1951
1959	314,691	4,561,961	6.9%	200	95	295	1,066		128	812	147	ap1960
Archeparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
1970	370,819	9,376,000	4.0%	319	134	453	818		182	1,976	157	ap1971
1980	300,243			261	93	354	848		110	1,682	185	ap1981
1990	350,000	1,715,000	20.4%	580	405	985	355		487	2,074	197	ap1991
1999	350,000	12,600,000	2.8%	288	376	664	527		444	2,690	240	ap2000
2000	380,000	13,000,000	2.9%	300	270	570	666		329	2,872	271	ap2001
2001	380,000	13,000,000	2.9%	302	282	584	650		349	3,000	277	ap2002
2002	380,000	13,000,000	2.9%	307	282	589	645		343	2,901	268	ap2003
2003	380,000	9,300,000	4.1%	321	253	574	662		292	2,787	271	ap2004
2004	382,000	9,300,000	4.1%	332	253	585	652		292	2,810	271	ap2005

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

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Affiliated Bishops

• James Kalacherry (Kalassery) † (Bishop: 24 Oct 1927 to 27 Oct 1949)
• Matthew Kavukattu † (Bishop: 25 Jul 1950; Archbishop: 29 Jul 1956 to 9 Oct 1969)
• Thomas Kurialachery † (Vicar Apostolic: 30 Aug 1911; Bishop: 21 Dec 1923 to 2 Jun 1925)
• Charles Lavigne, S.J. † (Vicar Apostolic: 13 Sep 1887 to 11 Jun 1896)
• Matthew Makil † (Vicar Apostolic: 25 Oct 1896 to 29 Aug 1911)
• Antony Padiyara † (Archbishop: 14 Jun 1970 to 23 Apr 1985)
• Joseph Perumthotttam (Priest: 18 Dec 1974; Auxiliary Bishop: 24 Apr 2002; Archbishop: 22 Jan 2007)
• Joseph Powathil (Priest: 3 Oct 1962; Auxiliary Bishop: 7 Jan 1972 to 26 Feb 1977; Archbishop: 5 Nov 1985 to 22 Jan 2007)