History

On November 11, 1996 through the Bull "Apud Indorum" His Holiness Pope John Paul II erected the new Diocese of Thuckalay and appointed Mar George Alencherry its First Bishop. Thus the long cherished aspiration of the faithful of the Kanyakumari Mission and the Archdiocese of Changanacherry was fulfilled.
   
Thuckalay the first Syro - Malabar diocese of Tamilnadu is a municipal town in the district of Kanyakumari. Thuckalay is 55 kms. South of Thiruvananthapuram and 35 km. north west of Kanyakumari. N.H 47, the National Highway, passes through Thuckalay. The Diocese of Thuckalay comprises the district of Kanyakumari and Taluk of Shenkottai of Tirunelveli District. The language of liturgy is Tamil.
 
The Kanyakumari Mission
 
Based on the report submitted by His Eminence, the late Cardinal Tisserant, His Holiness Pope Pious XII, by the Papal Bull "Multorum Fidelium" dated April 29, 1955 extended, the territory of the Syro - Malabar Archdiocese of Changancherry from the river Pampa in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. With the blessings of His Grace, the late Mar Mathew Kavukatt, the Archbishop of Changanacherry, the late Msgr. L.J. Chittoor the Vicar General, and Rev. Dr. Mathew Vattakuzhy, the Chancellor, the Church work in Kanyakumari was inaugurated by the starting of the first station at Nithiravilai on September 18, 1960.
 
Late Rev. Dr. N. A. Thomas Nangachieveettil, Late Rev. Fr Gregory Thycherry, Late Rev. Fr Antony Kaithara, Rev. Fr Zacharias Kaithara, Rev. Fr Thomas Muttathukunnel, Late Rev. Fr Thomas Veettuvelikunnel, Rev. Fr Joseph Madathil, were the pioneers in the Kanyakumari Church work. The help extended to the Church work by persons like Mr. Joshua Anjalil of Kirathur, Mr. Michael of Chiriyachalachalvilai, Mr. Gabriel Nadar of Kattukadai (Ex. M.L.A.) and Mr. Uthariyamuthu of Valiya Chalachalvilai in the early period of the Kanyakumari Church work is praiseworthy.
 
The late Rev. Fr Andrew cmi Regional Superior of Trivandrum belonging to the CMI province of St. Joseph, sent Rev. Fr Benedict cmi to Kaliyal and thus the CMI Congregation began to serve the Kanyakumari Church work by starting its first Centre for Church work in 1967.
 
It is in fitness of things to recall with gratitude the three Archbishops by whose paternal care the Church work has grown to a level that has led to the formation of the Diocese of Thuckalay. His Grace the Late Mar Mathew Kavukatt, the founder of the undertaking nursed it and helped it grow and expand. His Grace Mar Antony Padiyara who was well versed in Tamil won over the hearts of the Tamil - speaking people. The work has grown considerably during the fifteen years of his service. Under the pastoral care of His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil the Church work has grown further. The thirty seven years of the Church work done by the Archdiocese of Changanacherry and the keen interest taken by His Grace, Mar Jose Powathil led to the formation of the Thuckalay Diocese.
 
The Diocese: Present Picture
 
Now the Diocese of Thuckalay has 49 Church centres, which have a strength of about 25,000 people. At present 22 diocesan priests, 6 CMI priests, 5 MST priests, 2 OSB priests, 1 S.J. priest, 1 MCBS priest, 1 OCD priest, 1 O. Carm. priest, two Franciscan Brothers and 190 sisters belonging to 10 Congregations and 1 Secular Institute are serving the Diocese of Thuckalay.
 
The Thuckalay Diocese in its Church work cares for the spiritual, educational, social, health, economic and other needs of the people irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

Bp GEORGE ALENCHERRY
Born: Apr. 19, 1945
Priestly Ordn: Dec. 18, 1972
Episcopal Ordn: Feb. 02, 1997

Address: 
Bishop's House
P.B. No. 12, Thuckalay P.O.
Kanyakumari Dist.
Tamil Nadu - 629 175.
                                        
Tel: (04651) 25 06 33  
Fax: (04651) 25 31 67
E-mail: mystery_ngc@sancharnet.in
Website: http://www.thuckalaydiocese.cjb.net.in/
 
Area: 1,793.94 sq. kms.
Total population:18,95,899
Christians: 8,38,564
Catholics: 5,06,296
Languages spoken: Tamil and Malayalam.
Revenue districts: Kanyakumari District and the Taluk of Shenkottai of Tirunelveli District.
 
Statistics
Diocesan Clergy: 27
Religious Priests: 13
Religious Brothers: 02
Religious Women: 190
No. of Parishes: 49
Houses of Women Religious: 35
Houses of Men Religious: 07
 
Formation Houses
Minor Seminary: 01
 
No. of Educational Institutions
Technical Institutions: 01       
Students: 60
Sr. Secondary Schools (10+2): 03       
Students: 536
High Schools (10th std.): 12       
Students: 6,500
Primary Schools: 09       
Students: 4,600
Dispensaries: 05       
Beneficiaries (Annual): 6,000
Other Institutions  - Annexure: 01