Apostolic Nunciature, India & Nepal

Dioceses of India

Total: 1

Kuzhithurai

Diocese of Kuzhithurai

Quick Links: History

Rite: Latin

Status: Diocese

Total area: 915 sq. kms

Total Population : 8,55,485

Catholics Total: 2,42,072

Ecclesiastical Institutions

Parishes & Substations	:	Retreat Centres	:
Major Seminaries	:	Diocesan Minor Seminaries	:
Congregation Minor Seminaries	:	Religious Formation Houses	:
Men Religious Houses	:	Women Religious Houses	:

Hospitals	:	Dispensaries / Clinics / Health Centres	:
Orphanages	:	Homes for Aged & Destitute	:
Schools for Physically Challenged	:	Homes for Physically Challenged	:
Crèches	:	Boarding Houses	:
Counselling Centres	:	De-addiction Centre	:
Social Centres	:	HIV / AIDS Centre	:

Professional Colleges	:	Degree Colleges	:
Parallel Colleges	:	Vocational / Technical Training Centres	:
Higher Secondary / Junior Colleges	:	High Schools	:
Upper Primary Schools	:	Lower Primary Schools	:
Nurseries / Pre-Primary Schools	:	Presses & Media Centres	:

History

His Holiness Pope Francis established the Diocese of Kuzhithurai [Diocesis Kuzhithuraien (sis)] on December 22, 2014 bifurcating it from the Diocese of Kottar and making it a suffragan of the Metropolitan See of Madurai, appointing Reverend Father V. Jeromedhas SDB, aged 63, as its first Bishop. The official announcement was made on December 22, 2014 at 12.00 hours as per Italian time [16.30 hours - Indian time]. The Catholic population at the time of erection of the new Diocese was approximately 2,42,072 in 105 parishes, 127 substations and four shrines, spread over 915 sq km.

Dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity, the new Diocese of Kuzhithurai was announced to have its Cathedral and Episcopal seat at Thirithuvapuram, in Kuzhithurai. The Bishop elect was consecrated on February 24, 2015 and he took the canonical possession of the Diocese on the same day.

The new Bishop of the newborn Diocese made his residence and office by renovating a rundown building at Unnamalaikadai near Marthandam town. On March 1, 2015 the Bishop constituted his first Curia with Rev. Dr. V. Maria Alphonse the Vicar General, Rev. Dr. B. Russel Raj the Chancellor and Judicial Vicar, Rev. Fr. P. Augustine the Financial Administrator, Rev, Fr. Gelastin Gerald the Director of Pastoral Commissions and Rev. Fr. John Benhar his Secretary. The Bishop together with his Curia members and all priests of the new Diocese celebrated his first episcopal Mass at the Cathedral of Holy Trinity, Thirithuvapuram, in the midst of huge number of Christian faithful.

His Excellency Most Reverend V. Jeromedhas, a simple soul of deep wisdom and a gentle witness of Gospel values, began his pastoral ministry with subterranean enthusiasm from the moment he took canonical possession of the Diocese. Within ten months of his pastoral ministry, he issued appointment orders to 140 priests of various parishes, institutions, projects and commissions, which is an extraordinary effort on the part of the Bishop to bring constructive progress in the Diocese. In accordance with his motto, “The Lord is my Shepherd”, Bishop Jeromedhas went in search of his flock as a good shepherd in all parishes and mission stations within this short span of time and then, he began his official pastoral visitation.

In one month after taking canonical possession of the Diocese, Bishop Jeromedhas convened the meeting of general body of priests, conducted canonical election for the Presbyteral Council (Priests’ Senate) and constituted the College of Consultors, which is truly a record in the universal Church. In ten months time, he convened seven meetings with priests’ general body, nine senate meetings and eight gatherings of College of Consultors. It shows the Bishop’s great passion for the priests of his Diocese. A priests’ live-in programme for three days and annual retreats of two batches of priests gave him vigor and vitality to go beyond with pragmatism and hope.

After his Episcopal consecration Bishop Jeromedhas made quick visits to Vatican and Nunciature at New Delhi. These were his long journey throughout these ten months of episcopacy. Bishop Jeromedhas was elected the Chairman of the Tamilnadu Youth Commission and from the time of his election, he attends all programmes of the Tamilnadu Youth Commission and coordinates various events.

The priests can any time meet the Bishop at his office and he himself goes out to meet his priests. The lay Christian faithful find easy access to meet the Bishop and the Bishop himself does not miss any occasions for the Bishop to meet his flock include Board meetings, Commission meetings, special programmes arranged by the Vicariates, ecumenical meetings, etc.

Bishop Jeromedhas did bifurcate two vicariates which were present since 1930 into six Vicariates to attend the needs of the parishes by the Vicars Forane. He did such a tremendous task within ten months of his Episcopal ministry. The Christian faithful namely the clergy, nuns and laity own the Bishop as a good Shepherd, God-given gift to the new Diocese.