Kottapuram is a historically important place in Kerala. Leafing through the pages of history, one can see that Muziris, now known as Kodungallur, was a port that functioned as gateway to old-timers like Arab merchants, Portuguese and Dutch, and later to St Thomas. Thomas of Cana, who came from Syria, also landed here.
It was on this land in 1987 that a new diocese in Latin rite was formed, bunching up the northern areas of Vypin and the north-eastern parts of Varapuzha diocese. The Kottapuram diocese, thus formed, has today completed 25 years, and the year-long silver jubilee celebrations that started in October 2011 conclude on 7th of September 2012. All-encompassing arrangements have been made to mark the silver jubilee year end.
In the grand function that will take place at the St Michael’s Cathedral courtyard at Kottapuram on 7 September, Apostolic Nuncio to India, Archbishop Dr Salvatore Pennacchio, will preside over the jubilee high mass. A prefatory address will be made by Kottapuram bishop Dr Joseph Karikkassery. The declaration made by the pope, promoting the Church of Our Lady of Snow, Pallipuram, will be made official at the function.
A public meeting has been arranged at the church compound at 5 pm. The meeting to be inaugurated by Union Minister for Power and Energy, Dr M Veerappa Moily, will be presided over by Archbishop Dr Salvatore Pennacchio. Archbishop of Varappuzha, Dr Francis Kallarakal will address the guests. KRLCC president and Thiruvananthapuram Archbishop Dr Susa Pakyam will make the blessing speech. Dr Francis Kallarakal will be felicitated on this occasion for completing 25-years as bishop.
To mark the jubilee year ever memorable, the diocese has built 50 houses for the poor, and the keys to the houses will be distributed by Union Minister K V Thomas.
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