ASIA/INDIA - The Pope creates new Ecclesiastical Province of Trivandrum of the Latins and appoints first Metropolitan Archbishop

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, 3 June 2004, created the new Ecclesiastical Province of Trivandrum of the Latins separating it from the Ecclesiastical Province of Verapoly (India). The new Ecclesiastical Province includes four suffragan diocese of Alleppey, Neyyattinkara, Panular and Quilon.
The Holy Father has appointed first Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Latins Mgr Maria Callist Soosa Pakiam, until now Bishop of the same diocese.
The new Ecclesiastical Province - In India there are 20 Ecclesiastical Provinces of Latin Rite and a total of 109 suffragan dioceses, 10 of which are of Oriental Rite. After the separation the Ecclesiastical Province of Verapoly has the following suffragan dioceses: Calicut, Cochin, Kannur, Kottapuram and Vijayapuram. It has an area of 31,499 sq. km, a population of 23,033,929 including 658,882 Catholics cared for by 861 priests and 3,236 women religious.
The Ecclesiastical Province of Trivandrum of the Latins has an area of 9,518 sq. km, a population of 11,253,583 including 756,301 Catholics, cared for by 500 priests and 2,062 women religious and it has four suffragan dioceses: Alleppey, Neyyattinkara, Panular and Quilon. The name, see, Cathedral and Bishop’s residence and offices remain those of the diocese of Trivandrum. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/6/2004; Righe 15; Parole 185)