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The Diocese of Alleppey is along the Arabian sea between the Diocese of Cochin and Quilon. It has an are of 33 sq. kms. The total population in the diocesan territory is about 7,00,000. The Catholic population is 1,35,000. The Diocese was erected on the June 19, 1952 bifurcating it from the Diocese of Cochin. In 1570 the Jesuit Missionaries started work among St. Thomas Christians in this area. Because of their missionary zeal, 5 churches were built: Holy Cross church Purakkad 1570, St. Andrew's church Arthunkal 1581, St. Michael's church Kattor 1590, Holy Cross church Kadakkarappally 1620, St. George church Manakodam 1640 (rebuilt).

After the schism of the Coonam Cross, the St. Thomas Christians of the mission of Arthunkal were reconciled to Rome by Msgr. Guseppe Sebastian's during his second tour of Malabar in 1662. Even after the capture of Cochin by the Dutch, the Jesuits continued to look after the Christians of this area till about the middle of 18th century. Then the mission was taken over by the Carmelite Missionaries and remained under the Vicariate of Veralapoly till the restoration of the Old Cochin diocese in 1886. Bishop Michael Arattukulam was the first bishop of Alleppey (1952 -1984). He passed away on March 20, 1995.

Bp STEPHEN ATHIPOZHIYIL
Born: May. 18, 1944
Priestly Ordn.: Oct. 05, 1969
Episcopal Ordn.: Feb. 11, 2001

Address: 
Bishop's House
P.B. 4804, Alleppey - 688 012.
Kerala.
 
Tel: (0477) 22 43 363, 22 43 362            
Fax: (0477) 22 43 362          
Mobile: 09 84 71 15 417
E-mail: mailto:bp_stephen@vsnl.net , 
  bpstephen@sancharnet.in
 
Area: 333 sq. kms.
Total population: 7,00,000
Catholics: 1,35,000
Languages spoken: Malayalam 
Revenue districts: Alleppey and Ernakulam
 
Statistics
Diocesan Clergy: 87
Religious Priests: 22
Religious Brothers: 04
Religious Women: 300
No. of Parishes: 32
Houses of Women Religious: 36
Houses of Men Religious: 06
 
Formation Houses
Minor Seminary: 01
Others: 02

No. of Educational Institutions
P. G. Depts. / Colleges: 03, Students: 64
Colleges: 02, Students: 1,937
Technical Institutions: 06, Students: 175
Sr. Secondary Schools (10+2): 04, Students: 2,036
High Schools (10th std.): 09, Students: 12,130
Primary Schools: 19     
Students: 4,760
Hospitals: 06, Beds: 285
Dispensaries: 02 
Beneficiaries (Annual): 275
Other Institutions: 01   
Beneficiaries (Annual): 17-300