The Syro Malabar Church, founded in India by St. Thomas the Apostle, held All India Jurisdiction until the 16th century. Following Vatican II’s vision of communion, it sought to regain this jurisdiction. After Pope John Paul II’s 1986 visit and his 1987 letter initiating the process, Pope Francis, through his historic letter Varietatis Ecclesiarum on 9 October 2017, fully restored the Church’s All India Jurisdiction for pastoral care of migrants and missionary work. Rich in vocations and resources, the Church is now committed to developing this mission in line with the Holy Father’s vision.
The Eparchy of Shamshabad, the 31st Syro-Malabar Eparchy in India, covers two-thirds of the country across 23 States and 4 Union Territories. To enhance pastoral care and evangelization, the Synod of Bishops decided to entrust parts of Shamshabad to various Eparchies and Religious Congregations.
Responding to Bishop Mar Raphael Thattil’s request, Mar Pauly Kannookadan, Bishop of Irinjalakuda, agreed to take up a new mission in Northeast India. After consultations, the Eparchy of Irinjalakuda having earlier established the Hosur Diocese decided to launch the Silchar Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission, with St. Paul the Apostle as its heavenly patron.
In May 2019, Fr. Titus Kattuparambil conducted a study visit to several Northeastern states. Based on his report, the mission territory was defined to include eight districts of Tripura, eight of Mizoram, and three of Assam.
Fr. Titus Kattuparambil and Fr. Franson Thannadan were sent to Agartala for language and cultural training. On 3rd August 2019, a special prayer service was held for the mission, and on 13th August, the missionaries departed for Silchar. On 15th August 2019, the first mission house and chapel—dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus—were blessed, marking the beginning of the Silchar Mission.
Official inauguration of the Silchar Mission took place in connection with the 42nd diocesan day celebrations in Irinjalakuda. Bishop Mar Pauly Kannookadan presided over the meeting and Mar Sebastian Pozholiparambil ,Bishop of the Eparchy of Hosurinaugurated the Mission by unveiling the map of Silchar Mission. Fr. Titus Kattuparambil, Silchar Mission Co-ordinator addressed the gathering and gave a brief description about the mission area.
On 10 December 2019,Eparchy of Irinjalakuda has entered into a formal contract with the Eparchy of Shamshabad and consequently the Mission was formally inaugurated on 24th January 2020 on the eve of the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle.
A significant milestone and blessing is the first-ever translation of the Syro-Malabar Qurbana text into Kokborok, the major tribal language of Tripura. Since the launch of the Silchar Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission on 15 August 2019, we have been engaging with local communities, learning their language, and exploring opportunities for evangelization. Northeast India’s unique context offers great potential for the Church’s mission, and the presence of the Syro-Malabar Mission will greatly benefit both the region and the Church.
| # | Name & Designation | Mission / Station | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rev. Fr. Titus Kattuparambil Mission Co-Ordinator & Priest Incharge |
St. Thomas Mission, Mohanpur | 9863108746, 6009506589 silcharcoordinator@gmail.com |
| 2 | Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chirayath Finance Officer & Priest Incharge |
Christ King Mission Station, Jampuijala | 9403030833 frdrben@gmail.com |
| 3 | Rev. Fr. Martin Maliekal Koonan Secretary & Priest Incharge |
St. Joseph Mission, Khwai | 9544475097 martinma378@gmail.com |
| 4 | Rev. Fr. Joy Tharakal Priest Incharge |
Holy Cross Mission Station, Kamalpur - Kathibari | 9497068671 |
| 5 | Rev. Fr. Vincent Parayil Priest Incharge |
St. Mary’s Mission Station, Champak Nagar | 9447512953, 8732895940 |
| 6 | Rev. Fr. Jophin Kappil Priest Incharge |
Infant Jesus Mission Station, Manughat | 89925601319, 9995175019 jophinkappil@gmail.com |
| # | Name & Designation | Ministry / Convent / School | Contact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sr. Prasanna CMC Superior |
Chavara Carmel Convent, Khowai | 9378052015 chavaraconventmonahikhor@gmail.com |
|
| 2 | Sr. Jesmy CMC Principal |
Malabar Catholic School LF English Medium, Lengapara | 6009076258 | |
| 3 | Sr. Litty CMC Nurse, Health Ministry |
— | 9378052016 | |
| 4 | Sr. Lisieu CMC Village Ministry |
— | 7005450860 | |
| 5 | Sr. Rinet FCC Superior |
St. Theresa FC Convent | 9526928361 sttheresasilchar@gmail.com |
|
| 6 | Sr. Jais Maria FCC Village Ministry |
— | 8590957775 | |
| 7 | Sr. Leon Rose FCC Evangelization Ministry |
— | 9061937582 | |
| 8 | Sr. Naveena FCC Health Ministry |
— | 7907520375 | |
| 9 | Sr. Remmia CHF Superior |
Holy Family Convent, Mohanpur | 7907010267 hfsocietysilchar@gmail.com |
|
| 10 | Sr. Mercy Rose CHF Principal |
St. Sebastian Malabar Catholic English School, Murabari | 9961836326 | |
| 11 | Sr. Jismary CHF Village Ministry |
— | 8714305778 | |
| 12 | Sr. Dr. Jenitta Theresa CHF Health Ministry |
— | 9037766819 | |
| 13 | Sr. Aruna Joseph CSS Superior & Principal |
St. Paul Samaritan Convent & St. Paul Eng. Medium School, Manughat | 9648154747 paulsengmedium@gmail.com |
|
| 14 | Sr. Bindu Seema Minz CSS Education Ministry |
— | 8084309312 | |
| 15 | Sr. Alice Kerketta CSS Education Ministry |
— | 8084309312 | |
| 16 | Sr. Litty John CSS Health Ministry |
— | 9648154747 | |
| 17 | Sr. Nirmal Rose CSS Principal |
St. Peter’s Malabar Catholic English Medium School, Kathibari | 7684944073 pratimadungdung20@gmail.com |
|
| 18 | Sr. Asmita Munda CSS Supt. of Santhom Hostel |
Kathibari | 7684944073 | |
| 19 | Sr. Sujatha CSS Superior, Charity Convent |
Chambak Nagar | 8129097177 | |
| 20 | Sr. Lincy CSC Social Work Ministry |
9188779856 | ||
| 21 | Sr. Emili CSC Education Ministry |
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| 22 | Glency CSC Health Ministry |
9567859317 | ||