History
Eparchy of Kothamangalam
The eparchy of Kothamangalam was erected by Pope Pius XII through the Papal Bull 'Qui in beati Petri Cathedra' of July 29, 1956 separating the protopresbyterates of Arakuzha, Kothamangalam and Mailacombu, of the then Archieparchy of Ernakulam- Angamaly. Mar Matthew Pothanamuzhi was ordained as the first bishop of the eparchy in Rome on November 18, 1956. The inauguration of the eparchy and the installation of the new bishop took place on January 10, 1957, at Kothamangalam. Mar Matthew Pothanamuzhi, who guided the eparchy with paternal care and succeeded in curing the teething troubles of the eparchy, retired after two decades of memorable pastoral ministry.
Mar George Punnakottil succeeded Mar Matthew Pothanamuzhi. He was ordained and installed in office on April 24, 1977. The developmental programmes in the eparchy got a new vigour and verve and there were new initiatives to augment this process.
On January 10, 2013, the 56th anniversary of the inauguration of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam, the people of God heard the announcement 'We have a new Bishop'. Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil was enthroned on February 9, 2013 as the third bishop of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam. At present, the Eparchy is constituted of 119 parishes.
LOCATION : Situated in the centre of Kerala, the Eparchy of Kothamangalam lies extended in the revenue districts of Ernakulam and Idukki, surrounded by the Archieparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, and the eparchies of Irinjalakuda, Idukki and Pala.
Location - Boundaries
North
River Chalakudy and northern boundary of Devikulam Taluk.
East
Uzhavathadam River, Cheeyapara Waterfalls, Karimanal Power House, Kulamavu Dam ( & the Eastern boundaries of Pazhampillichal, Neendapara, Rajagiri and Uppukunnu parishes).
West
Eastern boundaries of Thripunithura and Vallam Foranes of Ernakulam-Angamaly Archieparchy.
South
Southern boundaries of Ramamangalam, Memuri, Marady & Arakuzha Villages of Marika Kara and Purapuzha and Karimkunnam Villages, Vazhipuzha River / Kinginithodu, eastern boundary of Velliamattam and southern boundary of Thodupuzha Taluk.
BISHOP
MAR GEORGE MADATHIKANDATHIL
Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil, son of Mathew and Aleykutty, was born on May 9, 1956. He hails from the parish of St. Sebastian's, Purapuzha, of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam. After having his preliminary studies at Govt. L.P School, Purapuzha, St. Sebastian's U.P School, Purapuzha and St. Augustine's High School, Karimkunnam, he joined the St. Joseph's Minor Seminary, Kothamangalam on July 5, 1971 in answer to the call of the Lord to priesthood. After his studies there, he was sent to St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Carmelgiri, Alwaye for his philosophical training and completed his theological training at St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Alwaye. Bishop Mar George Punnakottil, successor to Mar Matthew Pothanamuzhi, ordained him priest on December 23, 1980 at Purapuzha.
BISHOP EMERITUS
Mar George Punnakottil. M.A.,S.T.D.,L.S.S.
Mar George Punnakottil was born on 13th September 1936 at Thazhavankunnu. After matriculation in 1953 from Infant Jesus High School, Vazhakulam he joined the Minor Seminary at Ernakulam. He did his philosophical studies at St.Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Mangalapuzha and theological studies at the Pontifical Urban University,Rome.
FIRST BISHOP
Mar Matthew Pothanamuzhi Ph.D., D.D.
The first one called by God to guide His people of Kothamangalam was born at Nadukara, in Arakuzhaparish, near Muvattupuzha, on December 22,1903. His primary and secondary education were at Infant Jesus High School Vazhakulam, Govt. High School Muvattupuzha, St.Joseph's School Pavaratty and St.Mary's High School Aluva. After finishing his school education he joined Sacred Heart Minor Seminary Aluva in 1923. His philosophical and theological studies were at Kandy Seminary, Ceylone. He was ordained a priest on October 2,1932 by Bishop G.Rocky of Tuticorin. Meantime he had obtained Ph.D and D.D.
Director
Fr. Jose Kizhakeyil
Family Apostolate, Mathruvedhi, Pithruvedhi
Mob: +91 94475 79375