HISTORY
The eparchy of Irinjalakuda
got its existence by the bifurcation of Thrissur Diocese
by the Bull "Trichuriensis Eparchiae" of
the His Highness Pope Paul VI on June 22nd 1978 and
nominated Msgr. James Pazhayattil as the first Bishop.
The Diocese consists of Southern part of the former
Diocese of Thrissur, that is to say from Karuvannur
river on the North, to Chalakudy river on the South.
The Diocese of Irinjalakuda covers an area of about
1180 Sq.Km. and has at present a population of about
2,24,000 Catholics spreadover its 10 protopresbyterates
which are Kuttikad,Irinjalakuda, Ambazhadad, Chalakudy,
Edathuruthy, Kalparambu, Kodakara, Mala, Parappukara
and Puthenchira. 
|
Dr. James Pazhayattil was born at Puthenchira on July 26th
1934. After the School career at his native village he joined
St. Mary's Minor Seminary at Thope, Thrissur in the year
1952. He made his ecclesiastical studies in Kandy and Poona.
He was Ordained priest by His Eminence Valerian Cardinal
Gracias on October 3rd 1961. Then he secured his master
degree in English Literature from St. Thomas College, Trichur.
While he was working as a lecturer in English and hostel
warden in the same college, he was nominated the first Bishop
of the new Diocese of Irinjalakuda on June 22, 1978. He
received his Episcopal Ordination from His Eminence Joseph
Cardinal Parekkattil on September 10, 1978 at Irinjalakuda
and took charge of the Diocese on the same day.
Other Prelates from the
Diocese
1. Mar Francis Vazhappilly, Late
Bishop of Thrissur ( 1921-1942)
Dr.
Francis Vazhappilly was born on 18th May 1878 at Puthenvelikara,
ordained on 22nd December 1906 and was nominated on 5th
April 1921, Titular Bishop of Philadelphia and the Vicar
Apostolic of Thrissur. He was Consecrated on 6th July
in the Lourdes Cathedral by the Delegate Apostolic H.E.
Dr. Pean Pisani and took charge on the same day. On 21st
December 1923 when the Syro-Malabar Hierarchy was established
Dr. Francis Vazhappilly became the first Bishop of Thrissur.
He passed away on 12th May 1942 and his body was laid
to rest in the new Church of Our Lady of Dolours, Thrissur.
2. Mar George Alapatt, Late Bishop
of Thrissur ( 1944-1970)
Born
on 11th February 1900 at Karanchira, Dr. George Alapatt
had his college education at St. Thomas College, Thrissur
and ecclesiastical education at the Propaganda College,
Rome, where he took his Ph.D., S.T.D. He was ordained
priest on 17th December 1927 and nominated Bishop of Thrissur
on 11th March 1944. He was consecrated on 1st May 1944
at Thrissur by H.E. Dr. Leo P. Kierkes, the Apostolic
Delegate and on the same day he took charge of the Diocese.
He attended all the four sessions of the II Vatican Council
1962-1965. In 1968 the University of Detriot conferred
on him the Honorary Degree of Doctor in Humane Letters,
in 1969, on the occasion of his Ep.S.Jubilee H.H. Pope
Paul VI nominated him assistant at the Papal Throne. He
retired on 4th June 1970. On 11th may 1971 he was given
the title of Former Bishop of Thrissur instead of Titular
Bishop of Irenopolis in Isauria.
While he was taking rest at Karanchira, in his own parish
on 6th November 1973 he slept in the Lord and in accordance
to his desire his body was interred in the St. Pius X
Convent Chapel at Karanchira.
3. Mar Joseph Irimpen, Late Bishop
of Palakkad
Born
at Poovathussery on 25th February 1919. Dr. Joseph Irimpen
was ordained priest on 6th May, 1952. He has served in
various capacities as Vicar, College librarian, Director
of Legion of Mary, Director of Martha Bhavan, Secretary
and Vice Chancellor of Thrissur Diocese, he was nominated
the first Bishop of Palakkad on 20th June 1974 and was
consecrated Bishop of Palakkad on September 8, 1974 and
took charge of the Diocese on the same day. He retired
on 06-12-1994. He slept in the Lord on 23-08-1997.
4. Archbishop Dr. George Panikulam
(Apostolic Nuncio of Honduras)
Archbishop
Dr. George Panikulam was born at Puthenchira on 26th October
1943. After his school education he joined St. Mary's
Minor Seminary at Thope, Thrissur. His major seminary
formation was in St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva.
His priestly ordination was on 11th March, 1967. After
the one year service at Lourde Cathedral, Thrissur as
the Assistant Vicar, he was sent to Rome for higher studies.
He secured doctorate in Scripture and Post Graduation
in Canon Law and Sacred Theology. Later he joined the
diplomatic service of the Vatican. While he as serving
as the Vitan observer in the U.N.O., he was nominated
tht Titular Bishop of Arpaia in Rome and the Apostolic
Nuncio of Honduras on 4th December 1999 and he was ordained
as the Archbishop in Rome by His Holiness Pope John Paul
II on 6th January 2000.
|
