Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Thrissur


The Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Trichur, 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 the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Palghat were separated to form another Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Ramanathapuram.

History

The diocese was founded on 20 May 1887 by Pope Pius XI by his papal bull Quod iam pridem. The boundaries of diocese were from Periyar 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 475,000. There are 16 foranes under Thrissur Archdiocese. They are:
Serial No.ForaneParishesStationsHousesCatholic Population
1Lourdes Cathedral1711174659539
2Dolours' Basilica1601009554777
3Chelakara11116158080
4Erumapetty111245212285
5Kandassankadavu136693339781
6Kottekad82499426134
7Mattom85376118471
8Ollur145105253211
9Palayur142587329696
10Parappur105378317685
11Pattikad120260913735
12Pazhuvil124442524892
13Pudukad1841103861064
14Puthur100323216040
15Velur132377518528
16Wadakkanchery131517426872

Suffragan dioceses