Diocese of Palai
Rite: Syro-Malabar
Region : Kerala
Patron: Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
Founded: 25 July 1950
Province: Changanacherry
Status: Diocese
Total area: 1166 sqkm
Total Population : 6,92,458
Catholics Total: 3,46,250
Diocesan Priests: 457
Religious Priests: 104
Religious Sisters: 3553
Minor Seminarians: 59
Major Seminarians: 86
Diocese of Palai at a Glance
Ecclesiastical Institutions
| Parishes & Substations | : 169 | Retreat Centres | : 07 |
| Major Seminaries | : 0 | Diocesan Minor Seminaries | : 02 |
| Congregation Minor Seminaries | : 08 | Religious Formation Houses | : 0 |
| Men Religious Houses | : 22 | Women Religious Houses | : 270 |
| Hospitals | : 14 | Dispensaries / Clinics / Health Centres | : 05 |
| Orphanages | : 32 | Homes for Aged & Destitute | : 28 |
| Schools for Physically Challenged | : 09 | Homes for Physically Challenged | : 07 |
| Crèches | : 31 | Boarding Houses | : 27 |
| Counselling Centres | : 03 | De-addiction Centre | : 01 |
| Social Centres | : 01 | HIV / AIDS Centre | : 0 |
| Professional Colleges | : 0 | Degree Colleges | : 14 |
| Parallel Colleges | : 0 | Vocational / Technical Training Centres | : 0 |
| Higher Secondary / Junior Colleges | : 27 | High Schools | : 68 |
| Upper Primary Schools | : 102 | Lower Primary Schools | :127 |
| Nurseries / Pre-Primary Schools | :98 | Presses & Media Centres | : 03 |
Pope Pius XII by the Bull “Quo Ecclesiarim” issued on July 25, 1950, bifurcated the Diocese of Changanacherry, and out of the territory covered by the Foranes of Palai, Muttuchira, Kuravilangad, Anakkallu (including the present Forane of Aruvithura) and Ramapuram erected the Diocese of Palai as suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam.
On August 22, 1956 when the Holy See by the Apostolic Constitution “Regnum Coelorum” raised the Diocese of Changanacherry to the status of an Archdiocese and constituted the new Ecclesiastical Province of Changanacherry, the Diocese of Palai became one of its suffragans.
Pilgrim Centres
Saints / Blessed: Pilgrim Centres: Most Rev. Mar Jacob Muricken
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Palai
Personal Details
Born:16-Jun-1963
Priestly Ordination:27-Dec-1993
Episcopal Ordination:1-Oct-2012
Period:--
Tel(P): 04822-202000 , (0)9995680365
Email(P): bpmurickenjacob@gmail.com
Contact Details
Bishop’s House, P. B. No.18,
Palai - 686 575
Kottayam Dt. (Kerala)
Tel(O): 0482-22 12 217, 22 12 216
Fax : 22 11 379
Email : aramanapala@sancharnet.in
Right Rev. Joseph Pallikaparampil
Bishop Emeritus of Palai
Personal Details
Born:10-Apr-1927
Priestly Ordination:23-Nov-1958
Episcopal Ordination:15-Aug-1973
Period:1981-2004
Tel(P): (0)9446126686,04822-202000
Email(P): aramanapala@gmail.com
Contact Details
Bishop’s House,
Palai - 686 575 (Kerala)
Tel(O): 0482-22 12 217, 22 12 216
Fax : 22 11 379
Email : aramanapala@sancharnet.in
| Name | Designation | Period |
| Right Rev. Joseph Pallikaparampil | Auxiliary Bishop | 1973-1981 |
|
| Most Rev. Sebastian Vayalil | Bishop | 1950-1973 |
|