The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kodungalloor- Kottapuram ( la, Kottapuramen(sis)) is a

diocese In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associ ...

located in the town of

Kodungallur Kodungallur (; also Cranganore, Portuguese: Cranganor; formerly known as Mahodayapuram, Shingly, Vanchi, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, and Muziris) is a historically significant town situated on the banks of river Periyar on the Malabar Coast in ...

in the

Ecclesiastical province An ecclesiastical province is one of the basic forms of jurisdiction in Christian Churches with traditional hierarchical structure, including Western Christianity and Eastern Christianity. In general, an ecclesiastical province consists of sev ...

of Verapoly in India. On Saturday, December 18, 2010,

Pope Benedict XVI Pope Benedict XVI ( la, Benedictus XVI; it, Benedetto XVI; german: link=no, Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, , on 16 April 1927) is a retired prelate of the Catholic church who served as the head of the Church and the sovereig ...

named Joseph Karikkassery, Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Verapoly, as Bishop of Kottapuram. The diocese had until then been a vacant see (

sede vacante ''Sede vacante'' ( in Latin.) is a term for the state of a diocese while without a bishop. In the canon law of the Catholic Church, the term is used to refer to the vacancy of the bishop's or Pope's authority upon his death or resignation. Hi ...

), as

Bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ...

Francis Kallarakal Francis Kallarackal was the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Roman Catholic (Latin Rite) Archdiocese of Verapoly in India. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on 20 February 2010. Born to Kallarackal Ouso and Brigitte of Kottapuram on 10 O ...

had been appointed by

in February 2010 as Metropolitan Archbishop of the

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Verapoly The Archdiocese of Verapoly (Verapolitana) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church, composed of Latin Catholics of Malabar and headquartered at the city of Cochin, in the south Indian state of Kerala. Th ...

, India (the Diocese of Kottapuram is in its Ecclesiastical Province). The previous Archbishop of Verapoly had died.

History

* July 3, 1987: Established as Diocese of Kottapuram from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Verapoly

Leadership

s of Kottapuram (

Roman Rite The Roman Rite ( la, Ritus Romanus) is the primary liturgical rite of the Latin Church, the largest of the ''sui iuris'' particular churches that comprise the Catholic Church. It developed in the Latin language in the city of Rome and, while di ...

) ** Bishop Dr. Francis Kallarakal (October 4, 1987 – February 20, 2010); appointed as Metropolitan Archbishop of the

** Bishop Joseph Karikkassery (December 18, 2010 – present); formerly had been Auxiliary Bishop of Verapoly to Archbishop Kallarakal The recent Bishop is Joseph Karikkassery, the son of Francis and Agnes. Late Rocky is his elder brother and Philomina, w/o Jerome is his sister.

Lay Organisation Leaders

KLCA

Kerala Latin Catholic Association of Kottapuram ** First President - P.R. Lawrance, Gothuruth ** General Secretary - Babu Manjaly, Eriyad

KCYM

Kerala Catholic Youth Movement **First Committee ** ** Joy Gothuruth - President ** David Xavier, Koratty - Vice President ** Benny Pullayil, Koottukad - Gen.Secretary ** Jerson Chakkanat, Kottapuram - Secretary ** Sebastian Konnully. Paravur - Treasurer ** Micheal P. T., Kunjithai - Sports Forum ** George Arakkathara, Madaplathuruth - Exe.member ** Francis.E.D., Eriyad- Socio- Political Forum ** Stanly Koodallur, Kottapuram - Exe. Comm. ** Jessy.E.C, Gothuruth - Exe. ** Joy Kaimathuruthy, Gothuruth - Education Forum ** Shyja E. R., Kara - Arts Forum ** Beena K. A., Kunjithai - Exe.

References

External links

GCatholic.org

Diocese website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kottapuram Roman Catholic dioceses in India Christian organizations established in 1987 Roman Catholic dioceses and prelatures established in the 20th century Dioceses in Kerala 1987 establishments in Kerala Churches in Thrissur district