BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN KERALA - INDIA

The evolution of the Catholic Church in India as a whole has been strongly influenced by historical forces. The origin of Christianity in Kerala is attributed to the arrival of St. Thomas the Apostle in the region, landing in the Port of Cranganore near Kochi. He visited different parts of Kerala and preached the Good News of Christ to local inhabitants including many upper caste Hindus known as Namboodiri Brahmins. It is traditionally believed that St. Thomas established Churches at seven locations in Kerala. The present Christian population has descended from these early groups. Most Kerala Christian groups follow certain common practices derived from local cultural influences such as wedding customs, funeral rites and the use of Malayalam Language in liturgical services. These Christians are popularly referred to as Syrian Christians (Eastern Church) because of the Syrian Liturgy which they continue to use in church services.

The growth of the Catholic Church in India followed three distinct historical phases:

· The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church – the largest St. Thomas Christian community in India, is a Major Archi-Episcopal Church in communion with the Roman Catholic Church. It is one of the many sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in the Roman See. It is the largest group among the Saint Thomas Christians tracing their origins to St. Thomas the Apostle who came to India in AD 52. In the late 16^th century, during the years of Portuguese influence in Kerala, a faction of the Saint Thomas Christians (Syrian Christians) accepted allegiance to the Pope and came to be known as the Syrian Catholic Church. His Beatitude Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil is the current Head of the Syro-Malabar Church.

· The arrival of the Portuguese in Kerala in1498 led the way for the establishment of the Latin Church in India. They gradually established their power base and were eager to bring all Christians in the fold of the Church of Rome. With their superior organizational skills and political clout, Bishop Alexis De Menzes succeeded in establishing the Roman Catholic Church as the dominant Church in Kerala. His Grace Mar Daniel Acharuparampil is the current Head of the Latin Church in Kerala.

· In the 1930s, one of the leading Bishops of the Syrian Orthodox Christians, Mar Ivanios, Servant of God, reunited with the Roman Catholic Church, forming the Syro-Malankara Church. The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is the second Major Archi-Episcopal Church under the Holy See. His Beatitude Baselios Mar Cleemis is the current Head of the Syro-Malankara Church.