HIS EXCELLENCY RT. REV. DR. STEPHEN ATHIPOZHIYIL

Born: May. 18, 1944

Priestly Ordn.: Oct. 05, 1969

Episcopal Ordn.: Feb. 11, 2001

The Alleppey Diocese Alleppey is along the Arabian sea between the Diocese of Cochin and Quilon. It has an area 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 to 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 Coonan 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 Verapoly 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.

Address:

Bishop's House, P.B. 4804, Alleppey - 688 012, Kerala., India.

Tel: +91 0477- 2243363, 2243362, Fax: +91 477 - 2243362

E-mail: mailto:bp_stephen(at)vsnl.net, bpstephen(at)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