THE DIOCESE OF THUCKALAY IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT OF TAMILNADU:
The Diocese of Thuckalay is situated in Kanyakumari distict. Kanyakumari is the southernmost district of the state of Tamilnadu and the Indian mainland as a whole. The district possesses a varied topography with sea on three sides and the mountains of the Western Ghats bordering the northern side. Kanyakumari, the smallest district in Tamilnadu, with a land spread of 1,672 sq. km., has almost all ecosystems – forests, wetlands, freshwater resources, marine life, etc.
Tamil and Malayalam are the main languages of this district. The major religions in the District are Hinduism and Christianity, with Hinduism holding a slight edge over Christianity, in numbers. There are also a number of Muslims dominated belts in the district. Thanks to the constant efforts of quality education in the Christian run educational institutions that the caste system in the society has weakened to a great extent. The entire Christian Churches, particularly the Catholic Church, continue to work for the emancipation of the caste system and the discriminations attached to it. The transport, communication in the district is satisfactory, connecting majority of the villages, except the villages in the hilly region. However, the condition of the roads, except the primary highways, is poor. The coastal region of the district had been one of the worst affected in the tsunami that hit South East Asia on December 26, 2004, in which many people lost their lives and injured and lots of people misplaced from their lives losing their livelihood, home and properties. The human oneness and its generous nature were exhibited by organizations from several countries and the Government in the rehabilitation works of the affected people in the district.
THE DIOCESE OF THUCKALAY AND ITS MISSIONS:
The Diocese of Thuckalay was erected by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on November 11, 1996. Mar George Alencherry, who is presently the Cardinal and Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, was appointed as its first Bishop. Thus, the long cherished aspiration of the faithful of the Kanyakumari Mission and the Archdiocese of Changanacherry was fulfilled. Thuckalay, the headquarters of the first Syro-Malabar Diocese of the State of Tamilnadu, is located in a municipal town in the district of Kanyakumari. Thuckalay town is 55 km south of Thiruvananthapuram and 35 km northwest of Kanyakumari. The National Highway 47 connecting Kanyakumari to Salem via Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi in Kerala, passes through Thuckalay.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
| Technical Institutions | 02 |
| Higher Secondary Schools | 06 |
| High Schools | 9 |
| Middle Schools | 3 |
| Primary Schools | 23 |
| Pre-Schools | 58 |
OTHER INSTITUTIONS
| Schools for the Mentally Challenged | 07 |
| School for the Physically Handicapped | 01 |
| Vocational Training Center | 05 |
| Tailoring Center | 06 |
| Computer Centre | 01 |
| Orphanages | 08 |
| Home for the Aged | 02 |
| Home for the mentally challenged and physically handicapped | 01 |
| Home for the Destitute | 01 |
| Home for Mental Patients | 01 |
| Care Centre for HIV Aids patients | 01 |
The Diocese of Thuckalay has been growing steadily through the hard work of the missionaries, who are dedicated priests and nuns, the very committed lay volunteers in the form of elders and youth, under the efficient leadership of its first Bishop and the second and current Bishop Mar George Rajendran SDB since September 2012. The Diocese presently has 64 Parishes and Mass centers, having a Catholic population of about 31,150 faithful, served by 84 priests and 253 sisters belonging to 18 Congregations and one Secular Institute. Majority of the priests and sisters serving in the Diocese are missionaries from the state of Kerala. Local vocations have been growing well since the establishment of the Diocese.
The Diocese of Thuckalay comprised originally of the district of Kanyakumari and Taluk of Shenkottai of Tenkasi district. We are happy to state that, appreciating the efforts and works of the Diocese, the Holy See had extended the territorial jurisdiction of the Diocese in October 2017 to the civil districts of Madurai, Theni, Virudhanagar, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Thenkasi and Thoothukudi of the state of Tamilnadu. We had initiated an elaborate survey of the Catholics of the Syro Malabar tradition in the new seven districts and have begun some activities for the socio-economic development of the people in three districts of Tirunelveli, Madurai and Sivagangai.
The Diocese of Thuckalay assesses regularly the most important needs of the socially and economically neglected members of society and establishes Institutions and organizes programmes for their welfare in order to ensure that there is an open door for the neglected to approach and benefit. The Diocese is very blessed with priests and religious and lay volunteers who exhibit total commitment to social causes. Thus, we have established and run several institutions / organizations of social welfare. Here again, the majority of the infrastructure development for such charitable activities are carried out by the generous contributions from benefactors and friends within India and abroad who appreciate the enormous service rendered by the Diocese of Thuckalay through the priests and religious and are ready to support our cause. The regular running cost and maintenance of such centers are carried out by the support of philanthropists who visit the centers and homes and observe for themselves the care provided and the commitment displayed. Those centers where minimum fees are charged are managed by the fees.
History of Shenkottai Mission
When Kanyakumari District remained a mission territory under the Archdiocese of Changanacherry no mission work was taken up in the Taluk of Shenkottai in the District of Tirunelveli, although it was also part of the extended territory of the Archdiocese. As an exception one can say that a house of the Mission Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (M.C.B.S) was established there just one year (two year) before the inauguration of the Thuckalay Diocese.
In 1997 the Bishop sent Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Muttathukunnel (Protosyncellus), Very Rev. Fr. Phillip Kodiyanthara, and Very Rev. Fr. Phillip Vaikkathukaran to Shenkottai as explorers to find out the possibilities of the mission work in that area.As the team suggested, the Bishop sent two priests-Rev. Fr. Mathew Kuzhinjalil and Rev. Fr. Peter Kizhakkeyil – to Shenkottai.
Shenkottai is 160 kilometers away from Thuckalay . On August 10,1997 Fr. Mathew Kuzhinjalil started his work in a rented houses at Pulari .This village is 8 kilometer away from town . On September 5th of the same year Fr. Peter kizhakkeyil joined him for mission work. He too lived with Fr. Mathew kuzhinjalil.
On 30th of january 1999 first baptism was administerted to a grown up lady . Some Cathiolic Families also here . There are five station in Shenkottai Region. In the year of 2019 the government of Tamil Nadu formed new district Tenkasi (as per G.O. No 427 dated 12.11.2019) after that Shenkottai Mission is called as Tenkasi Mission. Now Twelve priests are working in the area, five diocesan priests and seven MCBS priests .
Summary of the organization (PECT)
Pulari Educational and Charitable Trust is a registered organization, registered under Indian Trust Act,1882 for educational and social welfare purposes No.37168 on 30.08.2017. When the mission works are progress missionaries felt to do some social welfare activities for poor and marginalized out of this Pulari Educational and Charitable Trust was formed.
Function and purpose of the organization:
Sustainable development of the poor and the marginalized through community organization and capacity building.
Objectives:
- Get the voice and choice of poor heard by responsible persons.
- Equipping the poor through right based approach.
- Promoting self retained communities.
- Bringing gender equity and gender equality.
- Addressing the new developmental challenges through collective advocacy.
- Motivating and organizing the people for sustainable development and fostering peace.
Activities:
- Human and institutional development
- Holistic child development
- Women empowerment
- Vocational skill development and employment
- Community health
- Natural resource management
- Entrepreneurship development program
- Infrastructural developments
Board of Trustees:
- Bishop. Mar George Rajendran SDB (Founder cum managing trustee)
- Rev. Fr. Mahesh (Director)
- Rev. Fr. Jose Muttaththupadam (Trustee)
- Rev. Fr. Dency (Trustee)
- Rev. Fr. John Paul (Trustee)