The expansion of Christian missionaries in India has taken new turn as Pope Francis has announced the forming of two new Malabar dioceses in South India.
The new Syro-Malabar Eparchy (Diocese) named as “Shamshabad” comes up in Shamshabad situated 25 k.m. away from Hyderabad, Telangana, which is well connected with Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
As per the statement, the diocese of Shamshabad has got 11 Parishes and in 7 places Church constructions are going on.
This diocese will have jurisdiction over all the Syro-Malabar Christians spread around 100 cities, excluding those in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and in the jurisdictions of the Kalyan and Faridabad dioceses.
The second new diocese comes up in Hosur,Tamilnadu.
Along with these the Ramanathapuram and Thukley dioceses boundaries have been extended.
The announcements include the appointment of Raphael Thattil as the first bishop of the new diocese of Hyderabad and Sebastian ( Jobby) Pozholiparampil, the clergy of Irijanalukuda, for Hosur.
Raphael Thattil born in Trichur, Kerala was appointed as apostolic visitor for the Syro-Malabar the Pope had on January 11, 2014, appointed Thattil as the faithfuls residing outside the jurisdictions of the existing 29 Syro-Malabar dioceses in the country.
Sebastian ( Jobby) Pozholiparampil is from Pullur, Kerala. Presently he is serving in the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda.
The Syro-Malabar Church has 5 Archeparchies, 27 Eparchies, 3 Apostolic Visitations and 1 Apostolic Exarchate.
Among the total of 36, 18 of them (5 Archeparchies and 13 Eparchies) are in ‘Canonical Territory’ (Kerala, and parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka) and under the proper jurisdiction of the Major Archbishop. 9 Eparchies are in various Indian states with exclusive Syro-Malabar jurisdiction.
In these, 2 Eparchies are in Kalyan and Faridabad in India with multiple jurisdictions. 3 Eparchies for Syro-Malabar faithful are in USA, Australia and Great Britain. 1 Apostolic Exarchate for the Syro-Malabar faithful is operating in Canada.
A statement issued by Fr Francis Eluvathingal, coordinator general of Syro-Malabar mission in Hyderabad, said, the Pope had on January 11, 2014, appointed Thattil as the apostolic visitor for the Syro-Malabar faithfuls residing outside the jurisdictions of the existing 29 Syro-Malabar dioceses in the country.
