Diocese of Palai (Syro-Malabarese)

Dioecesis Palaiensis

Bishop(s)

Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop
Joseph Pallikaparampil, Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 25 July 1950
Metropolitan: Archeparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese)
Rite: Syro-Malabarese
Country: India
Square Kilometers: 1,166 (450 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Post Bag 18, Palai-686575, Kerala, India
Telephone: (0482)21.22.16/7
Fax: 21.13.79

Past and Present Ordinaries

Sebastian Vayalil † (25 Jul 1950 Appointed - 21 Nov 1986 Died)
Joseph Pallikaparampil (6 Feb 1981 Appointed - 18 Mar 2004 Retired)
Joseph Kallarangatt (18 Mar 2004 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
25 July 1950	Erected	Eparchy of Kottayam (Syro-Malabarese)	Diocese of Palai (Syro-Malabarese) (erected)
26 February 1977	Territory Lost	Archeparchy of Changanacherry (Syro-Malabarese) Diocese of Palai (Syro-Malabarese)	Diocese of Kanjirapally (Syro-Malabarese) (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1969 250,538 445,026 56.3% 292 56 348 719 80 2,229 124 ap1971

1980 270,670 309 79 388 697 100 2,209 126 ap1981

1990 286,440 624,875 45.8% 345 86 431 664 103 3,764 148 ap1991

1999 335,000 668,000 50.1% 355 127 482 695 317 4,730 168 ap2000

2000 335,500 673,000 49.9% 355 127 482 696 313 4,875 168 ap2001

2001 336,000 674,000 49.9% 360 127 487 689 312 4,075 168 ap2002

2002 338,000 675,000 50.1% 357 127 484 698 205 4,150 168 ap2003

2003 345,982 683,482 50.6% 351 130 481 719 140 4,126 166 ap2004

2004 346,334 683,945 50.6% 367 112 479 723 122 4,100 169 ap2005

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1969	250,538	445,026	56.3%	292	56	348	719	80	2,229	124	ap1971
1980	270,670			309	79	388	697	100	2,209	126	ap1981
1990	286,440	624,875	45.8%	345	86	431	664	103	3,764	148	ap1991
1999	335,000	668,000	50.1%	355	127	482	695	317	4,730	168	ap2000
2000	335,500	673,000	49.9%	355	127	482	696	313	4,875	168	ap2001
2001	336,000	674,000	49.9%	360	127	487	689	312	4,075	168	ap2002
2002	338,000	675,000	50.1%	357	127	484	698	205	4,150	168	ap2003
2003	345,982	683,482	50.6%	351	130	481	719	140	4,126	166	ap2004
2004	346,334	683,945	50.6%	367	112	479	723	122	4,100	169	ap2005

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

Affiliated Bishops

Jacob Angadiath (Priest: 5 Jan 1972 to 13 Mar 2001)
Joseph Kallarangatt (Priest: 2 Jan 1982; Bishop: 18 Mar 2004 - )
Joseph Pallikaparampil (Priest: 23 Nov 1958; Auxiliary Bishop: 16 Jun 1973; Bishop: 6 Feb 1981 to 18 Mar 2004)
Sebastian Vayalil † (Bishop: 25 Jul 1950 to 21 Nov 1986)

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