The Eparchy of Thuckalay: A Brief History 

The Kanyakumari Mission (1955–1996)

The mission officially began on April 29, 1955, when Pope Pius XII extended the Syro-Malabar Church's territory from the Pampa river to include the area north of the Kanyakumari district through the Papal Bull Multorum Fidelium.

The Archeparchy of Changanasserry initiated the work, sending priests to pastor the Syro-Malabar faithful—mainly migrants from Central Kerala. Fr Zacharias Kaithara was appointed the first missionary. Pioneer priests and religious sisters, notably the Congregation of the Sacred Heart (SH), who opened the first convent in 1965, collaborated to establish parishes, mission stations, and catechesis centres.

Missionaries employed a holistic approach, focusing on evangelisation through house visits, celebrating the Eucharist, and providing social services. The Kanyakumari Social Service Society (KSSS), registered in 1972, organised charitable works for all people, irrespective of caste or creed. This dedicated effort transformed the mission into a thriving Christian community.

Erection and Growth (1996–Present)

After 37 years of dedicated service, the Kanyakumari Mission was elevated to the Eparchy of Thuckalay on November 11, 1996, by Pope John Paul II via the Papal Bull Apud Indorum. The new Eparchy, which initially covered the Kanyakumari District and Shenkottai Taluk, was carved out from the Archeparchy of Changanasserry.

Rev. Fr. George Alencherry was appointed as the first Bishop and was ordained on February 2, 1997. He served until 2011, when he was elected Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. In 2012, Mar George Rajendran SDB, a native of the eparchy, was elected as the second Bishop, symbolising the mission's maturity and success. Under his leadership, the Eparchy has grown to include 60 parishes and over 31 thousand faithful.

Major Territorial Extension

A significant expansion occurred on October 9, 2017, when Pope Francis extended the Eparchy's jurisdiction to include seven more civil districts of Tamil Nadu: Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Viruthunagar, Sivagangai, Theni, and Madurai.

This expansion dramatically increased the Eparchy's area from about 1,794 sq. kms to 32,374 sq. kms. The Eparchy, along with supportive Syro-Malabar Eparchies (Changanacherry, Kanjirapally, and Palai) and religious congregations, has since enthusiastically undertaken new mission works across these expanded territories.

Milestones in the History of the Eparchy of Thuckalay

•  April 29, 1955 - Papal Bull Multorum Fidelium by Pope Pius XII.
• Beginning of the Kanyakumari Mission (first Syro-Malabar mission outside Kerala).
• September 1960 - Inauguration of the proper mission; the first mission station started at Nithiravilai. Official beginning of direct mission work in Kanyakumari district.
• 1965 - The Congregation of the Sacred Heart (SH) Sisters opens the first convent. Arrival of the first women's religious congregation to assist the mission.
• 1967 - CMI Fathers join the mission work. Increased missionary participation from men's religious congregations.
• 1972 - Kanyakumari Social Service Society (KSSS) registered. Establishment of organised social works for the mission area.
• November 11, 1996 - Papal Bull Apud Indorum by Pope John Paul II. Elevation of the Kanyakumari Mission to the Eparchy of Thuckalay.
• December 18, 1996 - Promulgation of the Eparchy's erection and the appointment of the first Bishop. Official announcement of the new Eparchy.
• February 2, 1997 - Rev. Fr. George Alencherry is ordained Bishop. Installation of the First Bishop of Thuckalay.
• May 26, 2011 - Mar George Alencherry is elected Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church. The See of Thuckalay becomes vacant.
• August 24, 2012 - Mar George Rajendran SDB is elected the second bishop of the Eparchy of Thuckalay. Appointment of a native Bishop from the Eparchy itself.
• October 9, 2017 - Pope Francis extends the territory of the Eparchy of Thuckalay. Expansion of jurisdiction to include the civil districts of Madurai, Theni, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, etc.
• November 22, 2019 - The Tenkasi district is formed from the Tirunelveli district. The Shenkottai Mission is renamed the Tenkasi Mission.