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{{Short description|Eastern Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the United States}}
{{distinguish|text=the Latin Church territory, the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago|Archdiocese of Chicago]]}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox diocese
| jurisdiction = Eparchy
| name = Saint Thomas the Apostle of Chicago
| latin = Eparchia Sancti Thomae Apostoli Chicagiensis Syrorum-Malabarensium
| local = 
| image = Mar Thoma Sleeha Cathedral, Bellwood.jpg
| image_alt =
| caption = Mar Thoma Sleeha Cathedral, Bellwood, Illinois

| country = [[United States]]
| metropolitan = [[Exemption (Catholic canon law)|Exempt]] directly to [[Holy See]] and the [[Congregation for the Oriental Churches]]
| territory = United States
| province =
| coordinates = 

| area_km2 = 
| population =
| population_as_of = 2022
| catholics = 87,000
| catholics_percent =
| parishes =
| churches =  52
| congregations = 
35 (Missions)
| schools = 
| members = 

| denomination = [[Catholic Church]]
| sui_iuris_church = [[Syro-Malabar Church]]
| rite = [[East Syriac Rite]]
| established = March 13, 2001 ({{age|2001|3|13}} years ago)
| cathedral = [[Mar Thoma Sleeha Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral (Bellwood, Illinois)|Mar Thoma Sleeha Cathedral]]
| cocathedral =
| patron = [[Thomas the Apostle]]
| priests = 

| pope = {{Incumbent pope}}
| major_archbishop = [[Raphael Thattil|Mar Raphael Thattil]]
| bishop_title = Bishop
| bishop = [[Joy Alappatt]]
| coadjutor =
| auxiliary_bishops =Vacant
| vicar_general = {{ubl|[[Thomas Mulavanal]]|[[Thomas Kadukappillil]]|[[John Meleppuram]]}}
| emeritus_bishops = [[Jacob Angadiath]]
| map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =

| website = [http://www.stthomasdiocese.org/ www.stthomasdiocese.org]
| footnotes =
|headquarters=Diocesan Center <br /> 310 W. Lake Street Elmhurst, IL 60126|language=Malayalam & English|coat=Chicago eparchy logo.png|coat_size=145px|coat_alt=Coat of the Eparchy}}
{{Eastern Catholicism}}
The '''Eparchy of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic of Chicago''', also known as the '''St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago''', is a [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]] ecclesiastical territory or [[eparchy]] of the [[Catholic Church]] in the [[United States]]. Its episcopal seat is the [[Mar Thoma Sleeha Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral (Bellwood, Illinois)|Mar Thoma Sleeha Cathedral]] in the [[episcopal see]] of [[Chicago]].

The Most Reverend Mar [[Joy Alappat|Joy Alappatt]] is the current bishop of the Eparchy, having served since October 2022. Mar [[Jacob Angadiath]] served as the Eparchy's first bishop from its establishment in 2001 until his retirement in July 2022. The Eparchy is not part of any [[ecclesiastical province]], but is [[Exemption (Catholic canon law)|immediately subject]] to the [[Holy See]] and depends on the [[Dicastery for the Oriental Churches]].

The eparchy was erected by [[Pope John Paul II]] on 13 March 2001. It is one of the four eparchies of the Syro-Malabar Church outside [[India]]. In fact the Chicago Eparchy is the first ecclesiastical territory of the Syro-Malabar Church outside India. It has jurisdiction over all Syro-Malabar Catholics in the United States, including [[Knanaya Region|Knanaya Catholics in the US]].

==History==
=== Under the Latin Dioceses ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}
Syro-Malabar Catholics began to migrate en masse to the United States in the 1950s. Their number increased in the following decades. Since the Syro-Malabar Church had no ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the United States, the Syro-Malabar migrants became members of the local [[Latin Church]] parishes.

The Syro-Malabar Catholics in the United States wished to have liturgical services in their own rite. They organized in the major cities as Catholic lay associations and organized [[Holy Qurbana]] and retreats with bi-ritual Syro-Malabar priests (serving at Latin parishes) who were locally available. The local Latin dioceses supported them by establishing Syro-Malabar missions under their dioceses.

=== Studies on the Syro-Malabar faithful ===
Because the number of Syro-Malabar faithful settling outside Kerala and India increased, Pope John Paul II appointed [[Antony Padiyara]] on 8 September 1978 as Apostolic Visitor to study the pastoral needs of the Syro-Malabar faithful living outside the proper territory of the Syro-Malabar Church.

Bishop of Rajkot [[Gregory Karotemprel]], the chair of the Commission for the pastoral care for the migrants and apostolic visitator to USA and Canada, made an extensive study of the pastoral concerns of the Syro-Malabar immigrants in the United States and Canada by visiting the major cities in 1996. He recommended to the [[Holy See]] to establish Syro-Malabar diocese for the faithful living in the United States and Canada.

[[Varkey Vithayathil]] made a follow-up study in 1998 by visiting major cities in the United States and Canada. He also recommended to Rome the relevance of a Syro-Malabar eparchy in the United States.

=== Establishment of the Eparchy ===
Based on the above reports and considering the need of preserving the liturgical tradition of the Syro-Malabar faithful, Pope [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]] established the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago on 13 March 2001 with pastoral jurisdiction over all the Syro-Malabar faithful in the United States and appointed Fr. [[Jacob Angadiath]] as its first bishop. Bishop Jacob was also appointed as the Apostolic Visitator to Canada.<ref>{{Cite book|title=St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocesan Bulletin|year=2001|location=Chicago|pages=6}}</ref> Jacob Angadiath was the director of Mar Thoma Sleeha Mission in Chicago when he was selected as the bishop. Previously he was the vicar of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Garland, TX that he had established in 1992.
[[File:Bishop-angadiath.jpg|thumb|Jacob Angadiath, the first bishop of the eparchy]]
Bishop of Pala Joseph Pallikaparampil, who was in charge of the Overseas Mission of the Syro-Malabar Church, had sent him to Dallas in 1984 to serve the Syro-Malabar faithful in that region. He was the first Syro-Malabar priest officially appointed to begin a Syro-Malabar ministry in the US.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath {{!}} St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese|url=https://stthomasdiocese.org/bishop-mar-jacob-angadiath|access-date=2021-03-31|website=stthomasdiocese.org}}</ref>

The inauguration of the diocese and the episcopal ordination of Jacob Angadiath was held in Chicago on 1 July 2001 at Hyatt Regency Hotel during the Second Syro-Malabar Convention. Varkey Vithayathil was the main celebrant of the consecration. Bishop of Pala Joseph Pallickaparampil and Bishop of Kottayam Kuriakose Kunnacherry were co-consecrators. Archbishop of Chicago Francis Cardinal George was the homilist during the ceremony.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kottukappally|first=George Joseph|title=High Marks in the Halls of History, Commemorative Souvenir - 2001|publisher=St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago|year=2001|location=Chicago|pages=70–72}}</ref>

Bishop Jacob Angadiath appointed Fr. George Madathilparambil as proto-syncellus and Fr. Abraham Mutholath as syncellus (Vicar Generals) of the diocese on 3 October 2001. The other first curia members were Fr. Zacharias Thottuvelil (Chancellor & Secretary), and Fr. Antony Thundathil (Finance Officer and Cathedral Vicar).<ref>{{Cite book|title=St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocesan Bulletin|year=2001|location=Chicago|pages=19, 31}}</ref>

=== Priests and liturgy ===
The Eparchy of St. Thomas of Chicago depends on Syro-Malabar priests from [[Kerala]], India; priests would come from the archeparchies and eparchies of the Syro Malabar Church including the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam]] for Knanaya. The Syro-Malabar liturgy was primarily in [[Syriac language|Syriac]] prior to the [[Second Vatican Council]]. Post-Second Vatican Council, the liturgy was translated to Indian languages [[Malayalam]], [[Hindi]], and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as the Syro-Malabar Church was mainly based in India. Bishop Jacob Angadiath commissioned on behalf of the Synod of the Syro-Malabar Church, [[Joseph J. Palackal]] and George Thaila to set the English language [[Holy Qurbana|Qurbana]] text to music in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Eucharistic Celebration of the Syro-Malabar Church|url=http://christianmusicologicalsocietyofindia.com/syro-malabar-qurbana|first= Joseph|last= Palackal|publisher=Christian Musicological Society of India|date=2013|access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref>

The American-born Roy Joseph was ordained in 2016 in the [[Latin Church]] as a [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] priest, although he is a bi-ritual priest in both the Latin and Syro-Malabar rites.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thornwood Native Is First American-born Syro-Malabar Priest Ordained in U.S.|url=http://www.jesuits.org/story?TN=PROJECT-20160523025902111459015159|first=Doris|last=Yu|publisher=Jesuits.org|date=August 11, 2016|access-date=May 6, 2020}}</ref> On May 5, 2018, Kevin Mundackal of [[Thornwood, New York]], was ordained as the first ever American-born Syro-Malabar priest at [https://www.stthomassyronj.org/ St. Thomas Syro Malabar Forane Catholic Church, Somerset, NJ]. Shortly after on June 2, 2018, Rajeev Valiyaveettil Philip of [[Tampa, Florida]], was also ordained to the priesthood.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thornwood Native Is First American-born Syro-Malabar Priest Ordained in U.S.|url=http://www.cny.org/stories/thornwood-native-is-first-american-born-syro-malabar-priest-ordained-in-us,17682?|first=Christie L.|last=Chicoine|publisher=[[Catholic New York]]|date=August 2, 2018|access-date=October 22, 2019}}</ref> As of 2023, There are 7 American born priests and 8 Seminarians <ref>{{Cite web |title=DIRECTORY LAYOUT Pages 51-100 - Flip PDF Download {{!}} FlipHTML5 |url=https://fliphtml5.com/tqbqj/esla/basic/51-100 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=fliphtml5.com}}</ref>

After the accession of Mar Joy to seat of the Eparch of the Eparchy, In October 2022, He elevated Thomas Mulavanal, the Director of the Knanaya Region as the [[protosyncellus]] and Cathedral Rector Thomas Mulavanal as the syncellus. In September 2023, He appointed an additional syncellus due to the size of the eparchy, Fr. John Meleppruam, one of the first priests of the dioceses to be the Vicar General In Residence. <ref>{{Cite web |title=ചിക്കാഗോ സീറോ മലബാർ രൂപതക്ക് മൂന്ന് വികാരി ജനറാൾമാർ |url=https://keralaexpress.com/banners/Three-Vicar-Generals-for-Chicago-Syro-Malabar-Diocese/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=Kerala Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Bishops ==
The Bishop has the pastoral governance of the eparchy. [[Jacob Angadiath]] was appointed as the first bishop of the new eparchy in 2001. He served in the role for 21 years until his retirement in 2022. The Pope Named the Auxiliary Bishop of the Eparchy, [[Joy Alappat|Joy Alappatt]] as the Bishop-elect on July 3, 2022 (Feast of Durkanna), who was installed on October 1, 2022.[[File:Bishop Joy Alappat.jpg|thumb|[[Joy Alappat|Joy Alappatt]], the second bishop of the eparchy]]

=== List of Bishops ===

# [[Jacob Angadiath]] (2001–2022)
# [[Joy Alappat|Joy Alappatt]] (2022–present) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Resignations and Appointments |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/07/03/220703b.html |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=press.vatican.va}}</ref>

== Auxiliary Bishops ==
The Auxiliary Bishop has the role of assisting the Bishop in leading the eparchy and representing him if needed. [[Mar Thoma Sleeha Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral (Bellwood, Illinois)|Mar Thoma Sleeha Cathedral]] Rector and Vicar General of the Diocese [[Joy Alappat|Joy Alappatt]] was selected by Pope Francis as the first Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese on July 24, 2022. The position became vacant when Alappatt was appointed as Bishop of the Eparchy.

=== List of Auxiliary Bishops ===

# [[Joy Alappat|Joy Alappatt]] (2014–2022) <ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-06 |title=Rinunce e nomine |url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/07/24/0532/01181.html |access-date=2022-07-04 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906174214/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2014/07/24/0532/01181.html |archive-date=6 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Curia ==
The Diocesan Curia is a group of people who assist the Eparch in governing the Syro Malabar Eparchy of St. Thomas of Chicago. The following Members are Members of the Curia <ref>{{Cite web |title=Administration |url=https://stthomasdiocese.org/administration/ |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Chicago |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''Eparch:''' [[Joy Alappatt]], Bishop Joy was ordained in 1981 and served as the Catherdal Rector then Auxiliary Bishop before becoming the Eparch.

'''Proto-Syncellus:''' Fr. Thomas Mulavanal, Fr. Thomas was ordained in 1990 and serves also as the Pastor of [[Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Church Chicago]]. Prior to that, He served as the Pastor of St.Mary's, Chicago and [[Knanaya Catholic Parish, Los Angeles|St. Pius X Knanaya, Los Angeles]]

'''Syncellus:''' Fr. John Melepuram, Fr. John was ordained in 1978 and serves as Vicar General-in residence as well as the Director of the Family Apostolate. Prior to that, He served as the Pastor of [[St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Forane Catholic Church (Philadelphia, PA)|St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Forane Church (Philadelphia, PA)]], St Mary's (Long Island), St Jude's (South Jersey), St Thomas (Dallas), and the Detroit Mission.

'''Syncellus:''' Fr. Thomas Kadukappillil, Fr. Thomas was ordained in 1991 and serves also as the Pastor of [[Mar Thoma Sleeha Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral (Bellwood, Illinois)|Mar Thoma Sleeha Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral]]. Prior to that, He served as the Pastor of Our Lady of Good Health, Coral Springs and St Thomas, Somerset.

'''Chancellor:''' Rev. Dr. Johnson Xaviour, Fr. Johnson was ordained in 1998. Prior to serving as Chancellor, He served as the Eparchial Judge for the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Archeparchy of Tellicherry]]. He received his Doctorate in Canon Law in Rome.

'''Procurator:''' Fr. Kurian Neduvelichalumkal, Fr. Kurian was ordained in 1991. Prior to becoming the Diocesan Procurator, He served as Pastor of [[St. Joseph Syro Malabar Forane Catholic Church|St. Joseph Syro Malabar Forane Catholic Church, Houston]], St. Mary's (Pearland) and St. Thomas (Bay Area).

==Parishes and missions==
{{Main|List of churches and missions in the Syro Malabar Catholic Eparchy of St. Thomas of Chicago}}
The eparchy's cathedral is in [[Bellwood, Illinois|Bellwood]], [[Illinois]]. The [[Mar Thoma Shleeha Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral (Bellwood, Illinois)|Mar Thoma Shleeha Cathedral]] is a [[parish church]] with almost 1000 families and is seat to the bishop. The cathedral was dedicated on July 5, 2008.[https://www.smchicago.org/about-us]

{{As of|2014}}, there were an estimated 87,600 Syro-Malabar Catholics in the United States. Some of the parishes and missions are dedicated to the pastoral care of faithful of the [[Knanaya]] Catholics, under the pastoral guidance of Knanaya priests. The eparchy includes 52 parishes and 34 missions. Congregations are located in the following states and provinces:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parishes {{!}} St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese|url=https://stthomasdiocese.org/parishes|access-date=2021-03-31|website=stthomasdiocese.org}}</ref>
== See also ==
*[[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]]
*[[List of the Catholic bishops of the United States#Other Eastern Catholic bishops]]
*[[List of the Catholic dioceses of the United States]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* Diocesan Directory 2013-14, St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago, 2014.
* Diocesan Directory 2016, St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago, 2016.
* Diocesan Bulletin, St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese, 2001 October onwards.
* Enas, Dr. Enas A, An Eyewitness Account of The Syromalabar Story of Chicago Metropolis, Chicago: 2018.
* Kottukappally, George Joseph (Editor in chief), Commemorative Souvenir - 2001, Syro-Malabar Catholic Convention, Inauguration of the St. Thomas Diocese of Chicago, Episcopal Ordination of Mar Jacob Angadiath, Chicago: Mar Thomas Sleeha Cathedral, 2001.
* The Episcopal Ordination of Mar Joy Alappatt, Chicago: St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago, 2014.

==External links==
*[http://www.stthomasdiocese.org/ Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of St. Thomas of Chicago Official Site]
*[https://www.smchicago.org/ Mar Thoma Sleeha Cathedral]
*[http://www.syromalabarchurch.in/ Syro-Malabar Church]
*[https://knanayaregion.us/ Knanaya Region]
*[https://christianhomily.com/ Homily Resources]
{{Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Hierarchy}}

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Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Chicago - Revision history

Marinawxb: starting a info