Diocese of Palayamkottai
Rite: Latin
Region : Tamil Nadu
Patron: St. Francis Xavier
Founded: 17-May-1973
Province: Madurai
Status: Diocese
Total area: 6102 Sq.kml
Total Population : 26,77,649
Catholics Total: 1,28,098
Diocesan Priests: 73
Religious Priests: 38
Religious Sisters: 372
Minor Seminarians: 0
Major Seminarians: 0
Diocese of Palayamkottai at a Glance
Ecclesiastical Institutions
| Parishes & Substations | : 45 | Retreat Centres | : 0 |
| Major Seminaries | : 0 | Diocesan Minor Seminaries | : 01 |
| Congregation Minor Seminaries | : 01 | Religious Formation Houses | : 02 |
| Men Religious Houses | : 0 | Women Religious Houses | : 0 |
| Hospitals | : 03 | Dispensaries / Clinics / Health Centres | : 19 |
| Orphanages | : 15 | Homes for Aged & Destitute | : 03 |
| Schools for Physically Challenged | : 02 | Homes for Physically Challenged | : 02 |
| Crèches | : 04 | Boarding Houses | : 0 |
| Counselling Centres | : 0 | De-addiction Centre | : 0 |
| Social Centres | : 0 | HIV / AIDS Centre | : 0 |
| Professional Colleges | : 0 | Degree Colleges | : 04 |
| Parallel Colleges | : 0 | Vocational / Technical Training Centres | : 05 |
| Higher Secondary / Junior Colleges | : 14 | High Schools | : 17 |
| Upper Primary Schools | : 08 | Lower Primary Schools | :0 |
| Nurseries / Pre-Primary Schools | :0 | Presses & Media Centres | : 02 |
Pope Paul VI by the Bull “Romani Potifices” dated May 17, 1973 decreed the erection of the Diocese of Palayamkottai. Bp Savarinathan Iruthayaraj was nominated the First Bishop of the Diocese of Palayamkottai.
This diocese was formed from a part of the Archdiocese of Madurai. It comprises the civil Taluks of Tirunelvely, Palayamkottai, Ambasamudram, Tenkasi, Shenkottai, Sankarankoil, Sivagiri, Kovilpatty and a portion of Ottapidaram taluk with a small area from Srivaikuntram taluk.
The territory of the Diocese of Palyamkottai comprises a part of the civil district of Tirunelvely, and a portion of the civil district of Tuticorin.
Right Rev. JUDE GERALD PAULRAJ A
Bishop Emeritus of Palayamkottai
Personal Details
Born:28-Apr-1943
Priestly Ordination:8-Dec-1968
Episcopal Ordination:8-Dec-2000
Period:2018-
Tel(P): 09443808120, 08825557514
Email(P): bishopjude@gmail.com
Contact Details
C/o St. Antony’s Public School,
V. M. Chathiram,
Maharajanagar P.O.,
Tirunelveli - 627011 (Tamilnadu)
Tel(O): 0462-25 22 114
Fax : 25 22 081
Email : bishop@palayamkottaidiocese.org
| Name | Designation | Period |
| Most Rev. Savarinathan Iruthayaraj | Bishop | 1973-1999 |
|