History

His Holiness Pope Paul VI by the Bull Apostolico Requirente of June 20, 1974, bifurcated the Eparchy of Trichur and with the addition of a few parishes from the Eparchy of Tellicherry, erected the Eparchy of Palakkad as a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam. It is now a suffragan of the Metropolitan Province of Trichur. The Eparchy comprises the civil districts of Palakkad in Kerala, Coimbatore, Karur and Erode in Tamil Nadu and covers approximately an area of 28,515 sq. kms.
 
The Eparchy was officially inaugurated on September 8, 1974, the feast of the Nativity of our heavenly Mother. On the same day Bishop Joseph Irimpen, the first bishop of the Eparchy, was ordained bishop. Immediately thereafter he assumed the charge of the Eparchy. He laid a solid foundation for the Eparchy and guided its destinies with great love, dedication and devotion. He retired from office on December 6, 1994. The Eparchy was then administered by Msgr. Joseph Veliyathil. Mar Jacob Manathodath who was Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly was appointed by His Holiness Pope John Paul II as Eparch of Palakkad on December 11, 1996. He took canonical possession of the Eparchy on February 1, 1997.
 
The Eparchy completed twenty five years on September 8, 1999. The Silver Jubilee was celebrated in December 1999.
 
The Eparchy of Palakkad had at the time of its inauguration only 18 parishes, 17 stations and 20,810 faithful and just 18 diocesan priests, 10 religious priests and 288 women religious. The Lord made the Eparchy grow. Presently, it has 88 parishes, 44 stations and 65,583 faithful. There are now 86 diocesan priests, 53 religious priests and 1,237 women religious to attend to the pastoral care of the people. The Eparchy has 64 students in the Major Seminaries. There are a number of institutions in the Eparchy through which educational and charitable works are done.