Punalur
JurisdictionDiocese
LatinDioecesis Punalurensis
Localപുനലൂർ രൂപത
CountryIndia
ProvinceTrivandrum
MetropolitanTrivandrum
DenominationRoman Catholic
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
CathedralSt. Mary's Cathedral, Punalur
Parishes41
PatronSt Thérèse of Lisieux
Area5,052 km²
Population2,482,100
Population as of2004
Catholics46,708
Catholics percent1.9
BishopSelvister Ponnumuthan
Metro archbishopThomas J. Netto
Vicar generalVincent D’Cruz
Episcopal vicarJohnson Joseph, Jude Thaddeus Ambattur
WebsiteWebsite of the Diocese http://www.dioceseofpunalur.com/
ArchdioceseRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Trivandrum

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Punalur (Latin: Punaluren(sis)) is a diocese located in the city of Punalur in the ecclesiastical province of Trivandrum in India.

History

Belgian Carmelite missionaries 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 of Quilon (Kollam).

Punalur was separated from the Diocese of Quilon (Kollam) and created into a separate unit by the Bull “Verba Christi” of Pope John Paul II, issued on 21 December 1985.

Territory

Present Diocese of Punalur extended to the entire taluks of Punalur, Pathanapuram, Kottarakkara, Kunnathur, Mavelikara, Adoor, Konni, Pathanamthitta, Kozhencherry, and several pakuthies of the taluks of Karunagappally, Karthikapally, and Chengannur.

Leadership

  • Bishops of Punalur (Roman Church)
    • Bishop Selvister Ponnumuthan (May 8, 2009 – present)
    • Bishop Joseph Kariyil (March 12, 2005 – May 8, 2009)
    • Bishop Mathias Kappil (December 21, 1985 – March 12, 2005)