Territory Thrissur district Metropolitan Thrissur Churches 254 Population - Total - Catholics 2,018,635; 470,056 Vicar General George Edakulathur Country India | Ecclesiastical province Kerala Parishes 205 Schools 23 Bishop Andrews Thazhath Church 254 Number of members 500,000 | |
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Co-cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours | ||
The Syro Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Thrissur, in Thrissur District of Central Kerala, India, with nearly half a million Syro Malabar Catholics now used to be the largest catholic diocese in India when it included the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda until 1978 and Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palghat until 1973. Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Irinjalakuda, also located in Thrissur District, has over a quarter million Syro Malabar Catholics now. Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Palghat in Central Kerala extends to some regions in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. In 2010, the parts of Tamil Nadu under Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Palghat were separated to another Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Ramanathapuram.
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History
The diocese was founded on May 20, 1887 by Pope Pius XI by his Papal bull Quod Jam Pridem. The boundaries of diocese were from Periyar (river) in Aluva to Bharathappuzha. Later it was extended to Palakkad district and extended to Coimbatore District in Tamil Nadu and was the largest catholic diocese in India.
Parishes and population
The total number of parishes is 205. In addition, there are 52 stations in the archdiocese. The population of Syro-Malabar Catholics in Thrissur Archdiocese is over 4,75,000. There are 16 foranes under Thrissur Archdiocese. They are: