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Before the
erection of the diocese of Palayamkottai, this area was evangelized by the
Society of Jesus of Madurai Jesuit Province. The history of Christianity
begins from the time of St. Francis Xavier, in 1542. The old Madurai Mission
was taking care of the spiritual needs of the Catholics. Some of the
renowned Jesuit missionaries like St. John de Britto (1686-1688) (Martyred
in Oriyur now in the diocese of Sivagangai) Fr Constantine Beschi (1714)
have spent part of their missionary lives in this area and helped the
Christians to strengthen their faith. From the beginning of the 20th
Century, Diocesan priests from the Diocese of Trichirapalli were caring for
the spiritual needs of the Catholics.
After the
erection of the Archdiocese of Madurai, this part came under the Archdiocese of
Madurai. At the time of
the erection of the Diocese of Palayamkottai there were only six Jesuit
priests working in the parishes. Gradually they were replaced by the
diocesan priests. At present there are only one Jesuit priest in the |
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parish
and 16 Jesuit priests in St. Xavier's Arts and B.Ed. College, Palayamkottai.
Madurai Jesuit Province has contributed much to Christianity in this
diocese. The Diocese of Palayamkottai is much indebted to it. |
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His
Holiness Pope Paul VI, by the Bull "Romani Pontifices" dated 17th
May 1973, decreed the erection of the Diocese of Palayamkottai.
Palayamkottai, one of the vicariates of the Archdiocese of Madurai, became
the separate 13th diocese in Tamilnadu Region, India. It remains as one of
the suffragans of the Archdiocese of Madurai. His Grace P. Justin Diraviam,
the then Archbishop of Madurai, in virtue of powers delegated to him, gave
effect to the terms of the Bull on 9th September 1973. The nominated first
Bishop of Palayamkottai, Rev. Msgr. S. Iruthayaraj took canonical possession
of the diocese on 9th September 1973, and was consecrated as the first
Bishop of Palayamkottai on 12th September 1973 at Palayamkottai by
Archbishop P. Justin Diraviam of Madurai Archdiocese. |
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Bishop
S. Iruthayaraj pastored the diocese of Palayamkottai for 26 years
and contributed to its growth in the various fields of spiritual,
pastoral, educational, social, developmental ecumenical activities
etc. He voluntarily retired from his Episcopal ministry of the
diocese on July, 1999. The college of consultors elected Fr. Susai
Marian, as administrator of the diocese and he was approved by the
Holy See to run the diocese till the new bishop was to be appointed.
On 9 November, 2000 Rome announced Fr. Jude Paulraj, who was then
Rector of Christ Hall Major Seminary, Madurai the second Bishop of
Palayamkottai. He was consecrated by Archbishop Arockiasamy of
Madurai at Palayamkottai on 8th December 2002, which was his
priestly ordination day too. By his dedication and commitment as his
motto goes, "In Your Name to Serve & Sacrifice" he is
shepherding the diocese as a good pastor towards its fullness of
life and growth. |
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The diocese
of Palayamkottai has completed 33 years after its erection on 11th September
1973. The following pages give some important and useful information about
the activities and growth of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of
Palayamkottai. |
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(i) The
Diocese of Palayamkottai comprised, the then civil taluks of Tirunelveli,
Tenkasi, Shencottai, Sankarankovil, excluding two sub-taluks of Vilathikulam
and Ottapidaram. Since 1982, when the civil district of Tirunelveli was
bifurcated into Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, Kovilpatti became a taluk head quarters and the then area which
was under Kovilpatti Taluk came under Thoothukudi District. At present the
Diocese of Palayamkottai comprises the following Taluks: |
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Tirunelveli
District
1. Tirunelveli
2. Palayamkottai
3. Ambasamudram
4. Tenkasi
5. Shencottai
6. Sankarankovil
7. Sivagiri
8. Cheranmahadevi
9.
V.K. Pudur
10.
Alangulam
Thoothugudi District
Kovilpatti
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| (ii) The
total area of the Diocese is 6102.7 sq.km. |
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| (iii)
Language spoken are Tamil, English, Telugu & Malayalam |
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| (iv) The
Total Population in the Diocese 26,52,273. |
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| (v) Temporary
migrants: - Srilankan Tamils |
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