Pope Leo XIII, by the Brief "Quod jam pridem" in 1887 created the Vicariates Apostolic of Kottayam and Trichur for the Catholics of Malabar separating them from the Archdiocese of Cranganore and the Vicariate Apostolic of Verapoly, and two Vicars Apostolic were given for them from the Latin Rite, Dr C. Lavingne sj and Dr Medlycott respectively.

Again the same Pope granted them three bishops of their own rite and nationality in 1896 and by the Brief "Quae rei Sacrae" of July 28, 1896 the three Vicariates Apostolic of Trichur, Ernakulam and Changanacherry were created.

Later, Pope Pius X restored the Vicariate of Kottayam by the Brief "Universi Christiani" of 1911, "Pro gente suddistica" i.e for the section of Syro Malabar Christians, who are known as Suddhists, descendants of the Colony of Emigrants in the year 345 AD under the leadership of Thomas of Kinai from Edessa, Syria. The Vicariate comprises all the churches and chapels belonging to the Suddhist community on the Malabar Coast.

Later, Pope Pius XI raised the Vicariate of Kottayam to the status of a diocese on December 21, 1923 by the Bull "Romani Pontifices" by creating the Syro - Malabar Hierarchy. By a Decree of April 29, 1955, the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Kottayam is extended to all Suddhists of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ernakulam and Changanacherry.

The diocese of Kottayam was elevated to the status of an archdiocese in May 2005.

Abp MAR MATHEW MOOLAKKATT, OSB
Born : Feb. 27, 1953
Priestly Ordn.: Dec. 27, 1978
Episcopal Ordn.: Aug. 29, 2003


Bp MAR JOSE PANDARASSERY
Born : Apr. 2, 1961
Priestly Ordn.: Dec. 28, 1987
Episcopal Ordn.: 01.10.06

                                

Address:
Archbishop of Kottayam
The Catholic Archbishop's House
P.B. 71, Kottayam - 686 001
Kerala.
 
Tel. (O): (0497) 27 01 333 Fax (O) : 27 08 333
E-mail: marmmosb@yahoo.com,
           chettai@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.kottayamdiocese.com/