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The diocese of Kothamangalam was
erected by Pope Pius XII through
Papal Bull "Qui in beati Petri
Cathedra" of July 29, 1956, and
was inaugurated on January 10,
1957.
Composed of the three Foranes of
Arakuzha, Kothamangalam and
Mylakomp taken from the
Archdiocese of Ernakulam, the
Diocese of Kothamangalam extends
over the talukes of Kunnathunadu,
Muvattupuzha, Thodupuzha,
Udumpanchola and Devikolam
covering an area of 4,800 sq,
kms. At present there are
sixteen foranes. It is
surrounded by the Archdiocese of
Ernakulam and Madurai and the
Dioceses of Kanjirapally, Palai,
Palaghat and Coimbatore.
The major part of the Diocese
being the hills of the Western
Ghats with thousands of recent
settlers, the Diocese gives
special attention to the
spiritual and temporal needs of
these people. Large numbers of
Churches, educational, medical
and charitable institutions have
been started. Thus the number of
Churches and stations has risen
from 75 to 200. Starting with 75
priests for 122,000 Catholics
the number of the diocesan
clergy has risen to 273. On 19th
December 2002 a new diocese, the
diocese of Idukki was
established bifurcating the
diocese of Kothamangalam
comprising the High Ranges and
Low Ranges of Idukki district,
with Mar Mathew Anikuzhikattil
as the Bishop. |
