St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago

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The St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago is the twenty-fifth Syro-Malabar Catholic diocese. The Holy Father Pope John Paul II erected the Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago with jurisdiction over the entire United States in 2001. The Holy Father appointed Mar Jacob Angadiath its first Bishop. He is also appointed the permanent Apostolic Visitator to Canada. The establishment of this new diocese is a mark of appreciation and recognition by the Holy See of the Syro-Malabar community's contribution to the Universal Church and to the world.

The establishment of the Syro-Malabar diocese is a historical landmark in the history of the Syro-Malabar church. Until the establishment of this diocese, the Syro-Malabar church was confined to India only. The establishment of the diocese helped the immigrant Syro-Malabar Catholics to practice their rite in the U.S.

There are more than 100,000 Indian Catholics following this rite in the U.S. and Canada and the number is increasing on account of the immigration of professionals.

The diocese has established eight parishes in the different parts of the country but in places where the number of Syro-Malabar Catholics is not very large, mission centers are being established. The diocese's cathedral can be found in Chicago, Illinois. The Mar Thoma Shleeha Cathedral (Saint Thomas the Apostle) is a parish with almost 800 families and is seat to the bishop.

The Knanaya community has their own missions under the pastoral guidance of Knanaya priests and they also come under the diocese.