The Eparchy at a Glance
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Great Britain
The Catholic Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain serves the Syro-Malabar faithful across England, Scotland and Wales, nurturing their Eastern Catholic liturgical, spiritual and cultural heritage while strengthening the Church’s pastoral mission.
Figures presented from the Eparchy’s “CSMEGB at a Glance” page.
Spiritual Leaders Guiding Our Faith
Pope Leo XIV
Pope
Mar Raphael Thattil
Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Mar Joseph Srampickal
Bishop, Catholic Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain
A Growing Church in Great Britain
The Syro-Malabar faithful began migrating to the United Kingdom in small numbers during the 1960s and 1970s, including professionals who found work in the NHS and other occupations. A further phase of migration began around 2000, when families and individuals formed communities with the support of Syro-Malabar priests serving in local Latin parishes or studying at universities.
On 28 July 2016, Pope Francis established the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain, comprising England, Scotland and Wales, with its see at St Alphonsa Cathedral in Preston. This marked an important step in providing pastoral care and enabling the faithful to preserve their own liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary heritage.
Since 2019, another significant wave of migration has brought healthcare professionals and their families directly from Kerala. In 2024, the Eparchy acquired Mar Yawsep Pastoral House at Maryvale, Birmingham, to serve as the Bishop’s residence and administrative and pastoral headquarters.
Today, the Eparchy continues to strengthen its pastoral structures and ministries, serving communities across Great Britain through parishes, missions and dedicated clergy.
Cultural Identity
The Syro-Malabar community is not only a faith group but also an ethnic and cultural community. Its members have showcased cultural events and traditions unique to the community on many occasions.
Members speak Malayalam and preserve traditional art forms such as Margamkali, passed down through generations over centuries. The liturgy and worship of the community differ from those of other Catholic traditions and have been preserved across generations.
The community is enthusiastic about safeguarding this cultural uniqueness while integrating fully into the wider society in which its members live.
A living apostolic tradition
Malayalam and Margamkali
Heritage and belonging
A Community United in Faith, Heritage and Service
Our Lady Queen of Peace is a home for worship, fellowship and service—bringing together the Syro-Malabar community in Liverpool while sharing our faith and contributing to the wider community.
