Ecclesiastical Details

Diocese of Thuckalay
Heirarchy of the Diocese
Rite:
 Syro-Malabar
Population:
 1,865,972
 
Status:
 Diocese
Catholics:
506296
 
Founded:
 11-Nov-96
Diocesan Priests:
 35
  Total area:
48433 sq. KM.
Religious Priests:
 19
 
Province:
Changanassery
Religious Sisters:
 225
 
Region:
Tamil Nadu
Seminarians:
 25
  Patron:
Holy Mary Mother of Christ
  Languages: Tamil and Malayalam.
  Civil States: Tamilnadu: Kanyakumari District and the Taluk of Shenkottai of Tirunelveli District
Contact Diocese Office :
 Bishop's House P.B. No. 12 Thuckalay P.O. Kanyakumari Dist. Tamil Nadu - 629 175.
Telephone 1:
 04651-25 06 33 / 25 31 67
Fax:
25 31 67
 
E-Mail Office:
 thuckalaydiocese@yahoo.com
Website:
 
Most Rev. George Rajendran Kuttinadar SDB, Bishops of Thuckalay
Name:
 Most Rev. George Rajendran Kuttinadar SDB
Designation:
 Bishops   Canonical Possession: 2013-
Telephone (P):
E-mail (P):
 
Other Present & Retired Ordinaries of the Diocese of Thuckalay
 
Pilgrim Centres in theDiocese of Thuckalay
 
Ecclesiastical Institutions
  
Social / Charitable Institutions / Care Centres
Educational Institutions
Parishes:
33
  
Hospitals:
   
Degree Colleges:
Major Seminaries:
 
Orphanages:
4
    
Technical Training Centres:
9
Minor Seminaries:
1
  
Special Schools:
   
High Schools:
10
Monastries:
10
  
Crèches:
   
Lower Primary Schools:
24
Convents:
47
  
Counselling Centres:
   
Presses & Media Centres:
2
Formation Houses:
 
Social Centres:
10
    
Professional Colleges:
Retreat Centres:
 
Dispensaries / Clinics:
6
    
Parallel Colleges:
 
Physically Challenged:
   
Higher Secondary :
7
       
Boarding Houses:
   
Upper Primary Schools:
3
       
HIV / AIDS Centres:
   
Nurseries/Pre-Primary :
41
       
De-addiction Centres:
       
          Aged & Destitute:        
     
       
History of the Diocese of Thuckalay
  

On November 11 1996 through the Bull "Apud Indorum" His Holiness Pope John Paul II erected the new Diocese of Thuckalay and appointed Mar George Alencherry its First Bishop. Thus the long cherished aspiration of the faithful of the Kanyakumari Mission and the Archdiocese of Changanacherry was fulfilled.

- -

Thuckalay the first Syro - Malabar diocese of Tamilnadu is a municipal town in the district of Kanyakumari. Thuckalay is 55 kms. South of Thiruvananthapuram and 35 km. north west of Kanyakumari. N.H 47 the National Highway passes through Thuckalay. The Diocese of Thuckalay comprises the district of Kanyakumari and Taluk of Shenkottai of Tirunelveli District. The language of liturgy is Tamil.


It is in fitness of things to recall with gratitude the three Archbishops by whose paternal care the Church work has grown to a level that has led to the formation of the Diocese of Thuckalay. His Grace the Late Mar Mathew Kavukatt the founder of the undertaking nursed it and helped it grow and expand. His Grace Mar Antony Padiyara who was well versed in Tamil won over the hearts of the Tamil - speaking people. The work has grown considerably during the fifteen years of his service. Under the pastoral care of His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil the Church work has grown further. The thirty seven years of the Church work done by the Archdiocese of Changanacherry and the keen interest taken by His Grace Mar Jose Powathil led to the formation of the Thuckalay Diocese.

-

Now the Diocese of Thuckalay has 49 Church centres which have a strength of about 25000 people. At present 22 diocesan priests 6 CMI priests 5 MST priests 2 OSB priests 1 S.J. priest 1 MCBS priest 1 OCD priest 1 O. Carm. priest two Franciscan Brothers and 190 sisters belonging to 10 Congregations and 1 Secular Institute are serving the Diocese of Thuckalay.

-

The Thuckalay Diocese in its Church work cares for the spiritual educational social health economic and other needs of the people irrespective of caste creed or religion.
 
Prelates of the Diocese of Thuckalay
Bishops NamePrelate's StatusPeriodBishops NamePrelate's StatusPeriod
Archbishop 1996-2011