The Tradition of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church

The Syro-Malabar Church is the second largest church in the world among the 21 Eastern Catholic Churches who accept the Pope as the “Visible head of the whole Catholic Churches”. This Church has its origin from the preaching of Apostle St. Thomas. It has its own particular characteristics expressed in worship, sprituality, theology and administrative discipline . On December 16, 1992 Pope John Paul ll raised The Syro –Malabar Church to the status of a Major Archiepiscopal sui iuris Church. His Beatitude Cardinal MarVarkey Vithayathil is its present Major Archbishop. At present there are 5 archdioceses and 21 dioceses spread over India and one diocese for the Syro_Malabar Catholics of USA in Chicago.

The Kanyakumari mission founded in 1960 by the Archdiocese of Changanacherry was declared as the Diocese of Thuckalay in 1996 and His Excellency Mar George Alencherry was consecrated as its first bishop. The diocese has now parishes, pastoral care units and social service centres rendering service to the Syro-Malabar Catholics and the people of Kanyakumari District and shengottai Taluk in Tirunelveli District.

St.Alphonsa’s Church, Nagercoil

Blessed Alphonsa’s Church was blessed on 10th September 1989 by Rev.Fr. Mathew Vakkayil, the then Co-ordinator of, Syro Malabar Catholic Christians Mission in Kanyakumari District. It is the first church named after Blessed Alphonsa in Tamil Nadu. It caters to the spiritual needs of the parishioners and the devotees who come seeking the blessings of God through St. Alphonsa in Tamil Nadu, especially in Kanyakumari District, irrespective of rite, caste and religion. Her feast is celebrated at the church for ten days in july every year from its inception. The Matriculation Higher Secondary School attached to the church is also named after her. The church is under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Thuckalay.