Diocese of Punalur
Rite: Latin
Region : Kerala
Patron: St. Theresa of the Child Jesus
Founded: 21 December 1985
Province: Trivandrum-Latin
Status: Diocese
Total area: 4705 Sq.km
Total Population : 28,33,282
Catholics Total: 30,000
Diocesan Priests: 53
Religious Priests: 07
Religious Sisters: 185
Minor Seminarians: 18
Major Seminarians: 16
Diocese of Punalur at a Glance
Ecclesiastical Institutions
| Parishes & Substations | : 103 | Retreat Centres | : 0 |
| Major Seminaries | : 0 | Diocesan Minor Seminaries | : 01 |
| Congregation Minor Seminaries | : 02 | Religious Formation Houses | : 12 |
| Men Religious Houses | : 0 | Women Religious Houses | : 39 |
| Hospitals | : 03 | Dispensaries / Clinics / Health Centres | : 03 |
| Orphanages | : 01 | Homes for Aged & Destitute | : 01 |
| Schools for Physically Challenged | : 01 | Homes for Physically Challenged | : 0 |
| Crèches | : 0 | Boarding Houses | : 04 |
| Counselling Centres | : 0 | De-addiction Centre | : 01 |
| Social Centres | : 03 | HIV / AIDS Centre | : 0 |
| Professional Colleges | : 0 | Degree Colleges | : 0 |
| Parallel Colleges | : 0 | Vocational / Technical Training Centres | : 08 |
| Higher Secondary / Junior Colleges | : 01 | High Schools | : 03 |
| Upper Primary Schools | : 04 | Lower Primary Schools | :08 |
| Nurseries / Pre-Primary Schools | :22 | Presses & Media Centres | : 0 |
Punalur was separated from the Diocese of Quilon and created into a separate unit by the Bull “Verba Christ” of Pope John Paul II, issued on December 21, 1985.
Belgian Carmelite Fathers were the First Fathers of Punalur and of places around Punalur. During the second world war the First Fathers had to go back, entrusting the Church work to the Diocesan clergy.
Bp Mathias Kappil is the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Punalur.
The Diocese of Punalur comprises the entire civil district of Pathanamthitta, taluks of Kottarakara, and Kunnathur, Mavelikara, and several pakuthies of the taluks of Karunagappally and Chengannur.
| Name | Designation | Period |
| Right Rev. Joseph Kariyil | Bishop | 2005-2009 |
|
| Most Rev. Mathias Kappil | Bishop | 1986-2005 |
|