Calicut Elevated as Metropolitan Archdiocese;
Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal Installed as First Archbishop
George Kommattam - May 2025
Calicut, May 20, 2025: The Diocese of Calicut was officially elevated to a Metropolitan Archdiocese, and Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal was installed as its first Metropolitan Archbishop at a solemn ceremony held on May 20, 2025, at City St. Joseph's Church, Calicut.
In a ceremonial declaration led by the Apostolic Nuncio to India, Dr. Leopoldo Girelli, the Kozhikode Diocese was elevated to an Archdiocese, and His Grace Most Rev.Dr.Varghese Chakkalakal was enthroned as its first Archbishop. The ceremony was officiated by His Grace Rev. Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal.
The event was attended by over 10,000 people including clergy, religious, and faithful from across the region, celebrating this significant milestone with solemn prayers and joyful reverence, despite the heavy rain.
During the solemn celebration of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and President of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), delivered the homily, marking a historic moment for the Christian community in Kerala, India.
In his address, Cardinal Cleemis emphasized the deep spiritual significance of the elevation of the Kozhikode Diocese to an archdiocese, praising the faith and leadership that have shaped its growth. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the pastoral care and dedication of the clergy and faithful of Kozhikode, acknowledging their vital role in strengthening the Church’s mission in the region.
Reflecting on history, the Cardinal paid tribute to St. Francis Xavier, whose missionary zeal in the Malabar region laid the foundation for the flourishing of both the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches. He noted that the new archdiocesan status of Kozhikode stands as a testament to this enduring spiritual legacy, rooted in centuries of evangelization and community witness.
At the public function following the liturgical celebrations, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Thrissur warmly congratulated Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakal, highlighting his historic role as the first Bishop of Kannur and now the first Archbishop of Kozhikode. He offered prayers for God's continued grace and guidance in Archbishop Chakkalakal’s pastoral ministry.
Archbishop Dr. Thomas J. Netto of Thiruvananthapuram extended his blessings, expressing hope that the new Archbishop would continue to walk closely with the people and serve as a “shepherd of hope” in a world troubled by conflict and uncertainty.
Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany of Thalassery conveyed greetings on behalf of the migrant community, recognizing the broader impact of the new archdiocese beyond its immediate geographic region.
Speaking on behalf of the faithful of Kannur, Rev. Fr. Alex Vadakuthala offered heartfelt blessings and recalled Archbishop Chakkalakal’s pioneering leadership in the early days of the Diocese of Kannur. He noted the Archbishop’s role in building the diocese amidst many challenges.
Several dignitaries and public figures were present at the event, offering their greetings and well wishes on the occasion.
A key highlight was the release of the official history book of the Archdiocese of Kozhikode by Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakal.
The elevation of Calicut to a Metropolitan Archdiocese marks a new chapter in the Church’s mission in northern Kerala, with the dioceses of Kannur and Sultanpet becoming its suffragans. Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakal, who was previously the Bishop of Calicut and the founding Bishop of Kannur, now leads this newly elevated archdiocese with decades of pastoral and administrative experience.
History of Calicut Diocese
The Diocese of Calicut, established on June 12, 1923 by Pope Pius XI through the Apostolic Brief Cum Auctus Fidelium Grex, is a significant ecclesiastical jurisdiction in northern Kerala, India.
It was created by separating the Malabar district portion from the Diocese of Mangalore, with the addition of Wayanad Taluk (formerly under Mysore Diocese) and parts of the Walluvabad Taluk (from the Diocese of Coimbatore).
The Diocese initially had about 8,000 Catholics, mainly concentrated in Calicut, Tellicherry, and Cannanore.
Before the formation of the Diocese of Calicut, the region was under the Vicariate Apostolic of Malabar, which was divided in 1878 and entrusted to the Jesuits of the Venetian province. The diocese was managed by Jesuits for its first 32 years.
The Jesuits laid a strong foundation in evangelization, education, and social development, especially among tribal and marginalized communities. In 1960, the Hosdurg Taluk was added to the diocese, further expanding its territory.
Over the decades, Calicut witnessed steady growth due to migration from the southern parts of Kerala, especially Travancore and Cochin. By the mid-20th century, the Catholic population rose dramatically, with a majority of the faithful being Latins, alongside a significant number of Syrians.
This growth led to administrative changes; in 1954, the Syro-Malabar faithful were placed under the newly erected Diocese of Tellicherry to better address their pastoral needs.
The Diocese of Calicut has a rich history of missionary zeal and social outreach. Missionaries worked tirelessly to uplift tribal communities in the Wayanad region and the scheduled castes in the Kannur and Kasaragod areas.
One notable mission was the Chirakkal Mission, focused on the social, educational, and financial upliftment of Dalits and scheduled tribes, providing them with houses, land, and educational opportunities.
Education and healthcare have been pillars of the diocese’s work since its inception. From humble beginnings with just a handful of schools and charitable institutions, the diocese now oversees over a hundred schools, colleges, hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the elderly.
Several dioceses have been carved out from the original territory of Calicut to better serve the faithful. The Diocese of Kannur was created in 1998, followed by the Diocese of Sultanpet in 2013.
These divisions helped decentralize administration and pastoral care, addressing the growing Catholic population spread across northern Kerala.
Leadership in the diocese has transitioned from Jesuit bishops to native clergy, beginning with Bishop Maxwell V. Noronha in 1980.
The current Metropolitan Archbishop, Varghese Chakkalakal, took charge in 2012, continuing the legacy of pastoral care and development.
Under his leadership, the diocese was elevated to an Archdiocese, marking its prominence within the Catholic Church in Kerala. This elevation brought the dioceses of Kannur and Sultanpet under its metropolitan jurisdiction.
On April 12, 2025, Pope Francis erected the ecclesiastical province of Calicut in India, elevating the See of Calicut to a metropolitan Church, and appointed Bishop Varghese Chakkalakal of Calicut as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the same See.
Biography of Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakal
Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakal was born on February 7, 1953, in Malapallipuram, in the Thrissur district of Kerala, which belongs to the Diocese of Kottapuram.
After completing his schooling, he entered the seminary in 1971 for the Diocese of Calicut. He completed his seminary studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Mangalore.
He was ordained a priest by Bishop Maxwell Noronha on April 2, 1981.
He obtained a master’s degree in theology from Pontifical Seminary in Alwaye. Between 1986 and 1991, he earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.
From 1992 to 1998, he taught at the seminary, serving as a professor of Fundamental Theology, Canon Law, and Moral Theology. He also served as dean of studies.
He was appointed bishop on November 5, 1998, and was consecrated as the first Bishop of Kannur on February 7, 1999.
He was transferred to the Diocese of Calicut on May 15, 2012. The Diocese of Calicut was vacant after Bishop Joseph Kalathiparambil was appointed secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People at the Vatican.
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