The Eparchy of Kothamangalam is an Syro-Malabar Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or eparchy the Catholic Church in India. It was established by Pope Pius XII in 1957. Mar George Madathikandathil is the eparch since 10 January 2013.[1]
Situated in the central region of the Indian state of Kerala, the Eparchy of Kothamangalam lies extended in Ernakulam and Idukki districts of Kerala, neighbouring the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, eparchies of Irinjalakuda, Idukki and Pala. Mar Mathew Pothanamuzhy was the first bishop of the eparchy. He was succeeded by Mar George Punnakottil served as the bishop until 10 January 2013, when his resignation was accepted by the synod.
Boundaries
It is bounded on the north by the Periyar river, on the east by the Uzhavathadam river, Cheeyapara Waterfalls, and the Kulamavu Dam; on the west by Kolenchery, and on the south by Ramamangalam, Memuri, Marady, Arakuzha, Purapuzha and Karimkunnam villages, Vazhipuzha river, eastern boundary of Velliamatam and southern boundary of Thodupuzha taluk.
Population
The Kothamangalam Diocese has a total of approximately 231,300 faithful under its jurisdiction.
Ordinaries
Bishops
| Sl.no | Name | Designation | Year of appointment | Last year of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Pothanamuzhi | Bishop | 1956 | 1977 |
| 2 | George Punnakottil | Bishop | 1977 | 2013 |
| 3 | George Madathikandathil | Bishop | 2013 | present |
Prelate's Hailing from the Diocese
| Sl.no | Name | Designation | Year of appointment | Last year of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Thiruthalil C.M | Former Bishop of Berhampur and Balasore | 1974 | 2013 |
| 2 | Thomas Pulloppillil | Bishop of Bongaigaon | 2000 | present |
| 3 | John Thomas Kattrukudiyil | Former Bishop of Dhipu and Itanagar | 1994 | 2023 |
| 4 | Benny Varghese Edathattel | Bishop of Itanagar | 2023 | present |
| 5 | Chacko Thottumarickal, S.V.D | Former Bishop of Jhubua and Indore | 2002 | 2024 |
| 6 | Thomas Mathew Kuttimackal | Bishop of Indore | 2024 | present |
| 7 | Matthew Vaniakizhakel, C.V. | Former Bishop of Satna | 1999 | 2014 |
| 8 | Joseph Kodakallil | Bishop of Satna | 2015 | present |
| 9 | John Vadakel, C.M.I. | Former Bishop of Bijnor | 2009 | 2019 |
| 10 | Joshy Pottackal O.Carm | Auxillary Bishop of Mainz | 2026 | present |
Foranes & Parishes
1. Kothamangalam Forane (St George Cathedral Forane church)
1. Kothamangalam 2. Injoor 3. Malippara 4. Mathirappilly 5. Nadukani 6. Nellimattom 7. Thrikkariyoor 8. Vettampara 9. Allungal 10. Nellikuzhy
2. Arakuzha Forane (Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Major Archiepiscopal Forane Church, Arakuzha)
1. Arakuzha 2. Arikkuzha 3. Meenkunnam (St. Joseph's Catholic Church) 4. Peringuzha 5. Perumballur 6. Thottakkara
3. Kaliyar Forane (St. Ritha Forane Church)
1. Kaliyar 2. Koduvely 3. Mannukkad 4. Mundanmudy 5. Njarakkad 6. Thennathur 7. Thommankuthu 8. Vannappuram
4. Karimannoor Forane (St. Marys Forane Church)
1. Karimannoor 2. Cheenikkuzhy 3. Cheppukulam 4. Chilavu 5. Kaithappara 6. Malayinchi 7. Mulappuram 8. Neyyasserry 9. Pallikkamuri 10. Peringasserry 11. Thattakkuzha 12. Udumbannoor 13. Uppukunnu
5. Mailakkombu Forane ( St Thomas Forane Church)
1. Mailakkombu 2. Ezhallur 3. Kaloor 4. Nakappuzha 5. Perumbillichira 6. Thazhuvamkunnu
6. Maarika Forane ( St Joseph Forane Church)
1. Maarika 2. Kolady 3. Kuninji 4. Nediyasala 5. Purappuzha
7. Muthalakkodam Forane (St George Forane Church)
1. Muthalakkodam 2. Chalasserry 3. Kodikkulam 4. Paarappuzha 5. Vandamattom 6. Vazhakkala
8. Muvattupuzha Forane (Holy Magi Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Muvattupuzha)
1. Muvattupuzha 2. St Sebastian's Church Anicadu 3. Karakkunnam 4. Marady 5. Mekkadambu 6. Mudavoor 7. Muvattupuzha East 8. Randaar 9. Vazhappilly East
9. Oonnukal Forane(Little Flower Syro Malabar Catholic Forane Church)
1. Oonnukal 2. Ambikapuram 3. Injathotty 4. Maamalakkandam 5. Neendapaara 6. Neryamangalam 7. Parikkanni 8. Pazhambillichal 9. Perumannur
10. Paingottoor Forane ( St Antony Forane Church)
1. Paingottoor 2. Kalvarigiri (Kulappuram) 3. Kadavoor 4. Mullaringad 5. Pothanikkad 6. Punnamattom 7. Rajagir (Vellallu)
11. Thodupuzha Forane ( St Sebastian Forane Church)
1. Thodupuzha 2. Alakkodu 3. Anjiri 4. Chittur 5. Kalayanthani 6. Kallanikkal 7. Methotty 8. Nazareth hill (Thoyipra) 9. Nediyakaad 10. Pannimattom 11. Ponnanthanam 12. Thalayanad 13. Thodupuzha East 14. Vettimattom
12. Vazhakkulam Forane (St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church) (വാഴക്കുളം ഫൊറോന പള്ളി)
1. Vazhakulam 2. Ayavana 3. Beslehem 4. Enanelloor 5. Kadalikkad 6. Kalloorkkad 7. Kavakkad 8. Nadukkara 9. Vadakode
13.Kuruppampady Forane (St. Peter & Paul Forane Church)
1. Kuruppampady 2. Kutthunkal 3. Nedungapra 4. Kottapady 5. Muttathuppara
14.Velielchal Forane St. Joseph's Forane Church
1. Velielchal 2. Vadattupara 3. Pooyamkutty 4. Njayappilly 5. Urulanthanni 6. Manikandamchal 7. Kallelimedu 8. Keerampara 9. Kuttampuzha
Filial Churches
1. Infant Jesus Church Nazarathvalley 2. Infant Jesus Church Nazarethhill 3. Little Flower Church Pallickamury 4. St. Alphonsa's Church Pulickathotty 5. St. Alphonsa's Church Uppukunnu 6. St. Francis Xavier's Church Kulappura 7. St. Jude Church Kallelimedu 8. St. Mary's Church Manikandamchal 9. St. Mary's Church Mannukad 10. St. Mary's Church Ottalloor 11. St. Paul's Church Methotty
Priests
| Priests belonging to the Eparchy | 260 |
| Priests working outside | 46 |
| Priests out for studies | 13 |
| Priests Retired | 25 |
| Religious Priests | 120 |
Educational institutions
| University Colleges | 2 |
| Engineering College | 1 |
| Self-financing colleges | 3 |
| Teacher Training College | 1 |
| Technical Schools | 6 |
| Higher Secondary Schools | 21 |
| High Schools | 20 |
| Upper Primary Schools | 26 |
| Lower Primary Schools | 51 |
| Unrecognized Schools | 4 |
| Nursery Schools | 53 |