Kollam Quilon
—  city  —
A view of Kollam
Kollam Location of Kollam in Kerala and India
Coordinates	8°53′N 76°36′E / 8.88°N 76.60°E / 8.88; 76.60Coordinates: 8°53′N 76°36′E / 8.88°N 76.60°E / 8.88; 76.60
Country	India
State	Kerala
District(s)	Kollam
Mayor	Prasanna Earnest
City Police Commissioner	Gopesh Aggarwal IPS
Population • Density • Metro	349,033[1] (2011[update]) • 5,936 /km2 (15,374 /sq mi) • 1,110,005
Sex ratio	1069 ♂/♀
Official languages	Malayalam
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	58.18 square kilometres (22.46 sq mi) • 3 metres (9.8 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 691 0XX • Telephone • +91 (0)474 • UN/LOCODE • IN KLL, IN QUI • Vehicle • KL-02
Website	www.kollam.gov.in

Kollam, often anglicized as Quilon, is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about 71 kilometres (44 mi) north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. It is the headquarters of Kollam district and a prominent trade and commercial city.

Kollam is the fourth-largest city in Kerala, after Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, {The new population is taken as city agglomeration} in Kerala on the basis of population and the fifth-largest city on the basis of area. It is known for cashew processing and coir manufacturing. It is considered to be the southern gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is a prominent tourist destination. The Kollam urban area comprises the fast developing suburban towns such as Kottiyam in the south, Kundara in the east, and Chavara in the north of the city. Other important towns in the city suburbs are Paravur, Eravipuram, Kannanalore, and Anchalumoodu. Karunagapally, Chathannoor, and Kottarakkara are major towns within a distance of 25 km from Kollam city centre towards north, south, and east respectively.

Kollam appeared as Palombe in Mandeville's Travels, where he claimed it contained a Fountain of Youth.^[2][3] During the later stages of the rule of the Chera monarchy in Kerala, Kollam emerged as the focal point of trade and politics. Kollam continues to be a major business and commercial centre in the central Travancore region of Kerala.

Toponomy[link]

Pepper

The Malayalam calendar, or Kollavarsham, was created in Kollam at meetings held in the city in 825 CE.^[4] The name Kollam is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word Kollam, meaning pepper.

History[link]

Kollam was a flourishing port of the Chera Dynasty until the formation of the Venad kingdom, when it became the capital of the independent Venad kingdom.

Kollam during Chera rule[link]

Kollam shares fame with Pattanam (Muziris) as an ancient seaport on the Malabar Coast of India from the early centuries of Before the Christian era.

Kollam had a sustained commercial reputation from the days of the Phoenicians and Ancient Rome. Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) mentions Greek ships anchored at Muziris and Nelcynda. There was also a land route over the Western Ghats. Spices, pearls, diamonds, and silk were exported to Egypt and Rome from these ports. Pearls and diamonds came to Chera Kingdom from Ceylon and the southeastern coast of India, then known as the Pandyan kingdom.

Kollam in 1500s

Capture of Kollam in 1661

Kollam in 1800s

Cosmas Indicopleustes, a Greek Nestorian sailor,^[5] in his book the Christian Topography who visited the Malabar coast in 550 CE, mentions an enclave of Christian believers in Male (Chera Kingdom). He wrote, "In the island of Tabropane (Ceylon), there is a church of Christians, and clerics and faithful. Likewise at Male, where the pepper grows and in the farming community of Kalliana (Kalliankal at Nillackal) there is also a bishop concecrated in Persia in accordance with the Nicea sunnahadose of 325 AD ."^[6] The Nestorian Patriarch Jesujabus, who died in 660 CE, mentions Kollam in his letter to Simon, Metropolitan of Persia.

In 825 CE, the Nestorian monks Mar Abo and Mar Proth arrived in Kollam on the invitation of the ruler of the Venad-a feudatory under the Chera kingdom.^[7] The two monks received a Royal sanction called "Tarsish-a-palli" near "Korukenikollam" from Chera ruler Rajashekara varman Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal, as described on the Tharisapalli plates. Special privileges were given to the Ezhavas in the Tarisapalli sasanam. The two monks were instrumental in founding Christian churches with Syrian liturgy in the Malabar coast area distinct from ancient Hinduism. Mar Abo lived his last years at Thevalakkara, and his remains were buried there in the Martha Mariam Orthodox Church.

Kollam Port[link]

Kollam sea port was founded by Mar Abo with sanction from Udayamarthandavarma the Tamil king from Venad otherwise called Ay kingdom in 825 AD instead of re opening the inland sea port(kore-ke-ni kollam) near Backare (Thevalakara) also known as Nelcynda and Tyndis to the Romans and The Greeks and Thondi to the Taamils and is also the foundation of the new city. It is also believed that Mar Abo actually volunteered to the Chera king to create a new sea port town near at Kollam instead of his request for renewing the almost vanishing Tyndis or Nelcynda inland sea port(kore-ke-ni) at Kollam,lying idle without trade for a few centuries because of the Cheras being over run by pallavas in the 6th century AD ending the spice trade from Malabar coast. This allowed Mar Abo to stay for many decades in Chera kingdom and streamline Christian faith in the St.Thomas tradition with Syrian liturgy replacing the Sanskrit and Vedic prayers.

Kollam, the capital of Venad 9th to 12 century AD[link]

Chinese fishing net at Kollam

The Malayalam Era began in 825 CE; it is named 'Kolla Varsham' after Kollam, because of the importance of Kollam in the 9th century CE. Ayyanadikal Thiruvadikal granted the Tharisapalli plates copper plate grants in 825 CE to Nestorian Monk Mar S(abo)r Iso who he invited to Kollam, transferring to the Tarsish Church and the community in the St. Thomas tradition of Quilon.^[8]

A merchant, Soleyman of Siraf of Persia, visited Malabar in the 9th century and found Quilon to be the only port in India used by the huge Chinese ships as their Transhipment hub for their goods on their way from China to the Persian Gulf. The rulers of Kollam (formerly called 'Desinganadu') had trade relations with China and exchanged embassies. According to the records of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD to 913 AD),^[9] Quilon was their chief port of call before 7th century AD. The Chinese trade decreased about 600 AD and was again revived in the 13th century.

In 1291, John of Montecorvino, a Franciscan monk, became a priest at Quilon. Friar Jordanus Catalini, who arrived in 1321, effected large-scale Latin Catholic conversions and was appointed Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon in 1329. Friar Jordanus built a church, called St. Georges Church, with the patronage of Nestorian spice merchants at Jona-ka-puram (the seat of Jordanus Catalini )in Kollam and wrote Mirabilia Descripta. However, after Giovanni de' Marignolli in 1353, this Latin church was converted to a Nestorian church by the Nestorian Christians, and when Portuguese arrived in 1498, only Nestorian Christianity existed in Kerala in a visible way.^{[citation needed]}

Marco Polo, who visited China's Kublai Khan's court, traveled in 1292 through Kollam on his return journey to Venice, and gave an interesting account of the flourishing port of Kollam (coilum, as he called it) and its trade relations inter connectivity with China in the east and Europe to the west. Chinnakada, (China-kada), the city center, was so named after the Chinese merchants. The increase in commercial activity resulted in establishment of a flourishing Chinese settlement at Kollam.^{[citation needed]}

Kollam during Portuguese, Dutch and British conquests (16th to 18th centuries)[link]

Kollam fort in 1756 after it had passed from Portuguese rule to the Dutch

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading center in Tangasseri, Kollam in 1502, which became the centre of trade in pepper. In the wars with the Moors/Arabs that followed, the ancient church of St Thomas was destroyed. In 1517, the Portuguese built the St. Thomas Fort in Thangasseri, which was destroyed in the subsequent wars with the Dutch. The ruins of the Fort can still be seen in Thangasseri. In 1661, the Dutch took possession of the city. The remnants of the Dutch forts can be found at Thangasseri. In the 18th century, Travancore conquered Kollam, followed by the British in 1795. Thangasseri remains today as an Anglo-Indian settlement, though few Anglo-Indians remain. The Infant Jesus Church in Thangasseri, an old Portuguese-built church, remains as a memento of the Portuguese rule of the area.

Kollam as part of Travancore[link]

Kollam in British era

Velu Thampi Dalawa of Travancore worked to improve Kollam. He helped build new markets and invited merchants and traders from Madras (now Chennai) and Tirunelveli to set up trade in Kollam. Kollam, to this day has a thriving business in cashew nuts, coir and spices.

The history of the district as an administrative unit can be traced back to 1835, when the state of Travancore consisted of two revenue divisions with headquarters at Kollam.

Kollam, revenue district of Kerala (1949 onwards)[link]

At the time of the integrating of Travancore and Cochin districts in 1949, Kollam was one of the three revenue divisions in the state. Later these three revenue divisions were converted into districts. But Shencottah taluka was merged with Madras state consequent to the implementation of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. Now the district has a single revenue division with its headquarters at Kollam Taluk Cutcherry.^{[citation needed]}

Geography[link]

Kollam city is bordered by the panchayaths of Neendakara and Thrikkadavoor to the north, Mayyanad to the south, Thrikkovilvattom and Kottamkara to the east and Arabian sea to the west. Ashtamudi lake is in the heart of the city. The city is about 63 km away from Pathanamthitta,82 km from Alappuzha,71 km from Thiruvananthapuram,142 km from Kochi,350 km from Kozhikode and 226 km from Thrissur.

Two major rivers in the district are Kallada and Ithikkara. Kallada river empties into Ashtamudi lake while Ithikkara river to Paravur kayal. Jadayuppara, Palaruvi waterfalls are also important geographical attractions of the district.

Climate[link]

Demographics[link]

As of 2011^[update] India census,^[1] Kollam city has a population of 349,033 and a population density of 5900 persons per square kilometre. The sex ratio (the number of females per 1000 males) was 1070 during the census year of 2001. The district of Kollam ranks sixth with respect to the population in the state. The city of Kollam ranks fourth in terms of population in Kerala. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kollam has an average literacy rate of 91.47%,^[10] higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 80%. In Kollam, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Malayalam is the most spoken language. Hindi, English and Tamil are also widely understood in the city.

Civic Administration[link]

British Residency in Kollam

Kollam city is governed by a Municipal Corporation which is elected by the residents of the city. The corporation is divided into 55 divisions. Each division is represented by a councilor elected by the people and the Mayor is elected from among the councilors representing the political party with majority seats. There is a corporation Secretary who is the head of the office staff of the corporation. The present Mayor of Kollam Corporation is Mrs. Prasanna Earnest of the CPI(M). The police administration of the city is under the City Police Commissioner who is an IPS(Indian Police Service) officer and he reports to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Thiruvananthapuram Range. The police administration is under the State Home Department of the Government of Kerala. Kollam City is divided into three sub divisions namely Karunagappally, Kollam and Chathannoor, each comes under an Assistant Commissioner of Police. There is a City Traffic Police wing for controlling the road traffic of the city. The present Kollam City Police Commissioner is Shri.Gopesh Aggarwaal IPS (DIG).

Transport[link]

Rail[link]

Kollam Railway Station is the second largest railway station in Kerala in terms of area after Shornur Junction with a total of 8 platforms. The metre gauge track from Kollam to Punalur was converted to broad gauge under project Unigauge and was inaugurated by the Hon. Minister for State for Railways, E. Ahmed, on 12 May 2010. The Thiruvananthapuram – Ernakulam (via Kottayam and Alappuzha) line passes through Kollam. Kollam has completely electrified railway tracks. Two railway lines passing through Kottarakkara (Chengannur -Kottarakkara – Thiruvananthapuram) and Punalur (Erumeli – Punalur – Thiruvananthapuram) have been proposed and are awaiting survey.^{[citation needed]}

Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) services have started from Kollam to Ernakulamvia: allepy and kottayam from the 2nd week of January 2012.^[11][12] A MEMU maintenance shed along with an upcoming Service building will change the face of Kollam Junction Railway Station. Kollam also boasts the longest railway platform in Kerala: which is more than 1 KM long.^{[citation needed]}

A view of the Kollam backwaters

Roads[link]

The city is connected to other parts of Kerala and India through the National Highways 47, NH 220 and NH 208 and by the railway network. Transport is provided by State owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private transport bus operators. Road transport is also supported by private taxis and autorickshaws, also called autos.

Water[link]

The State Water Transport Department operates boat services to West Kallada, Munroe Island and Alappuzha. Double decker luxury boats run between Kollam and Allepey daily. Luxury boats, operated by Government and private owners, operate from the main boat jetty during the tourist season. The West coast canal system, which starts from Thiruvananthapuram in the south and ends at Hosdurg in the north, passes through the city of Kollam and Karunagappally taluk. The Thiruvananthapuram-Shornur canal, which forms a part of the Thiruvananthapuram-Hosdurg system, runs a distance of about 62 km. The other canal systems include the Paravur Kayal, Kollam canal and Chavara canal.

Kollam Port (Thankasseri Port) is the second largest port in Kerala after Cochin Port Trust, as of 2010. The port is undergoing infrastructural development.^{[citation needed]} The port is located near the city of Kollam. Neendakara and Shakthikulangara are twin fishing harbours in Kollam. Neendakara is one of the busiest fishing harbours in South Kerala. Some port operations are carried out through Neendakara as well.

Industries[link]

Kollam, like other districts in the state, is moderately industrialised. Some of the major employers in the public sector are Indian Rare Earths Limited (IRE) at Chavara, Kerala Metals and Minerals Limited at Chavara, Kerala Primo pipe factory at Chavara (closed 3 decades ago); United Electrical Industries (popularly known as the Meter Company) and Parvathi Spinning at Kollam.

Kundara was known as an industrial area with aluminium, ceramics, starch factories,all of them except a portion of 'ceramics' closed. Now a SEZ Techno park has been notified to bring in cutting edge Nano and Information Technology to develop these industries here^{[citation needed][citation needed]}

Cashew industry and cashew board Cashew processing and coir production are the two most important sources of employment in the private sector. Cashew processing and sorting employs a large share of women workers who manually peel and sort cashews into different categories by size. The Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited (KSCDC), Kollam, a Government Company, has 30 cashew factories and employs 20,000 people. Another important source of employment is tile manufacturing using clay. It is expected that a Cashew Board will be set up at Kollam for the development of cashew processing and exporting.^{[citation needed]}

Clay tiles Clay tile manufacturing continues to be a mix of both large scale units and small informal units.^{[citation needed]}

Schools[link]

M V Govt. V H S S Peroor, Kollam spread over two acres.

Infant Jesus and Mount Carmel at Thangasseri were set up during the British Raj as India's leading Anglo-Indian schools while St.Joseph's convent Girls Higher secondary school,Tuet, Govt.Boys Higher secondary school, Thevally and St.Aloysius Higher secondary school have already celebrated the centenary years of cherished existence with over 5,000 students studying in each school. Trinity Lyceum, Krist Raj Boys Higher secondary and Vimala Hridaya Girls Higher secondary schools at Pattathanam are the other three Big Schools in Kollam with over five thousand students studying. Other large schools in Kollam include "St. Mary's Residential School" S.N.Public, S.N. trust, Kendriya Vidyalaya, St. Jude Higher Secondary School, Mukhathala.Other schools in the city include:

• Lake Ford School
• Mayyanad Higher Secondary School, Kollam
• Amrita Vidyalayam(ICSE), peroor, Kollam.
• SNSMHSS,Elampeloor,Kundara,Kollam
• GHSS, Chathannoor, Kollam
• The King's School (Cambridge International School), kottiyam, kollam
• Meenakshi Vilasam Government Vocational Higher Secondary School
• Indian Public School
• National Public School
• The Oxford School
• The City Public School
• Govt. Model High School for Girls, Thevally
• Seventh Day Adventist School
• Peace Public School
• Preshitha Matha ICSE School, Mangad, Kollam
• MES Public School
• AKM Higher Secondary School
• St. Mary's Residential School
• Mahatma Central School
• Vimalahridaya Special School
• TKM Centenary Public School, Kollam
• TKM Higher Secondary School, Kollam
• Navdeep Public School, Decent Jn., Kollam
• Govt. Higher Secondary School, Mangad
• Govt. Higher Secondary School, Vallikeezhu, Kavanad, Kollam
• St.Jude HSS Mukhathal, Kollam
• St. Johns High School, Eravipuram, Kollam
• LVHS GOVT High School, Mynagappally, Kollam Dist.
• MSHS Boys and Girls Higher Secondary School, Mynagappally, Kollam.
• Govt HIgher Secondary School, Sastham Cottah, Kollam.
• Santhinikethan Higher Secondary School Patharam Mynagappally, Kollam
• Govt Higher Secondary School Karunagappaly Kollam.,
• Govt HighSchool Boys & Girls, KArunagappally Kollam.
• CMS LP School Mynagappally Panchayath, Kollam Dist.
• Amritha Higher Secondary School Vallikkavu Karunagappaly, Kollam.
• Sree Buddha Central School Karunagappaly, Kollam
• Thazhava Higher Secondary School Karunagappally, Kollam
• Nehru Memorial English Medium High School, Kaithakuzhy, Kollam.
• KRGPMHSS, Odanavattom, Kottarakkara, Kollam
• Infant Jesus Anglo Indian high school
• The City Central School

Institutions For Higher Education[link]

Arts & Science Colleges[link]

• Sree Narayana College, Kollam
• Sree Narayana College, Punalur
• Sree Narayana College for Women, Kollam
• Fatima Mata National College, Kollam
• TKM College of Arts and Science, Karikode, Kollam
• DB College Sasthamcottah, Kollam
• Baby John Memorial Government College, Chavara, Kollam
• NSS College, Kottiyam, Kollam
• NSS College, Karunagappally.
• Sree Vidyadhiraja Arts And Science College, Karunagappally*
• Saint Gregorius College, Kottarakkara, Kollam
• MSM College Kayamkulam, Kollam,
• SpeedWings Aviation Academy, S.N College Jn. KOLLAM. IATA Authorised Training Centre, WORLD NO.2

Engineering Colleges[link]

View of Kollam-Punalur Passenger Train passing by the TKM college.

• TKM College of Engineering, Karikode, Kollam
• TKM Institute Of Technology,Karuvelil,Kollam.
• UKF College of Engineering and Technology,Parippally.
• Valiyakoonambaikulathamma college of engineering and Technology
• Shahul Hameed Memorial Engineering College,Kadakkal,Kollam
• MES Institute of Technology and Management,Chathannoor.
• Bishop Jerome Institute of Technology, Kollam.
• Sree Narayana Institute of Technology, Vadakkevila, Kollam
• Younus College of Engineering, Kollam.
• College of Engineering, Perumon, Kollam.
• College of Engineering College, Karunagappally, Kollam.
• College of Engineering, Kottarakkara,Kollam.
• Travancore Engineering College, Oyoor, Kollam.
• BMC College Of Engineering, Sasthamcottah, Kollam.
• Amritha school of Engineering,Amritapuri,Kollam.
• Younus College of Engineering for Women,Thalachira P O,Kottarakkara,Kollam
• Hindustan College of Engineering,Arippa,Chozhiyakode P O,Kulathupuzha.

Polytechnic Colleges[link]

SN Polytechnic College (S.N.P.T.C) Kottiyam in 2008

• Govt. Polytechnic College, Ezhukone
• Govt. Polytechnic College, Punaloor
• S.N Polytechnic College, Kottiyam
• Model Polytechnic, Karunagappally, Kollam.

ITI[link]

• Govt ITI Chanthanathoppu Kollam.
• Govt Women's ITI Ramankulangara Kollam,

Medical Colleges[link]

• Travancore Medical College, Kollam
• Azeezia Medical College, Kollam
• ESIC Medical College, Kollam

MBA Colleges[link]

• TKM Institute of Management, Kollam
• MSNIMT, Chavara, Kollam
• SN Institute OF Management Kollam.
• University OF Information Technology, Kollam.
• Sankar Institute of Science Technology And Management, Chathanoor, Kollam.
• Speedwings Aviation Academy, S.N College Jn. KOLLAM.

Hotel Management Colleges[link]

• Sankar Institute of Science Technology And Management, Chathanoor, Kollam.
• Speedwings Aviation Academy, S.N College Jn. Kollam.

Nursing Colleges[link]

• Government School of Nursing, Kollam
• Govt. School of Nursing for SC/ST, Kollam
• Upasana College of Nursing
• VNSS College of Nursing
• Bishop Benziger College of Nursing
• Dr.Nair's College of Nursing
• Holy Cross College of Nursing, Kottiyam, Kollam
• Sankars Nursing College, Kollam.

BED Colleges[link]

• BMMC II Training Bed College, Kottarakkara, Kollam
• Adoor Govt. Bed College, Kollam
• Govt. Bed College, Kollam
• Bed College Patharam, Sooranad, Kollam Dist.
• Bed College, Chavara, Kollam
• Bed College Fathima Matha Kollam
• Bed College Varkala.

Notable Events[link]

Kollam Pooram, part of the Ashramam Sree Krishnaswamy Temple Festival, is the biggest cultural celebration in south Kerala. Kollam Pooram is usually held on April 15, and occasionally on April 16. The pooram is held at the Ashramam maidan.

Chittumala Theerthatanam is an annual march held on Thiruvonam, to promote communal harmony; it started in 1968. It starts from Munroe Island 25KM from Kollam and ends at Chittumala.

Culture[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Kollam, the capital of the erstwhile Venad, was a centre of learning and culture. It attracted distinguished scholars from all parts of South India. Leelathilakam and Unnuneeli Sandesam, two literary works of historical importance, are contributions of 14th century Kollam. The dance form of Kathakali, in its new version of Ramanattam, was the creation of Kottarakkara Thampuran, who also translated Krishnanattam from Sanskrit to Malayalam.^{[citation needed]}

Other notable figures are K. C. Kesava Pillai, a poet and playwright; he originated the musical play in Malayalam through his work Sadarma. His Kesaveeyam, a Mahakavyam^{[clarification needed]}, is of outstanding literary importance. Paravoor Kesavan Asan, the founding editor of Sujanandini, wrote Saratchandrika a study of Ayurvedic system of medicine.

Coming to modern times, Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai and Soornadu Kunjan Pillai, noted literary historians and poets like O. N. V. Kurup, Thirunalloor Karunakaran, Punaloor Balan, novelist and poet Lalithambika Antharjanam are some of the literary luminaries hailing from this district.^{[citation needed]}

Leaders like T. M. Varghese, C. Kesavan, Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai, N. Sreekantan Pillai, R. Sankar and C. M. Stephen who played prominent roles in shaping the socio-political destiny of the State, are also from this district. The district gave birth to well known freedom fighters like Chandiran Kali Ambi, Kadakkal Manthri and Franco Raghavan Pillai.^{[citation needed]}

Training colleges[link]

Kasthoorba Gandhi TTI, Mathilil, Mathilil. Kollam, Kerala was started during 2004. It is owned by Kasthoorba Gandhi memorial women’s charitable society registered under Travancore Cochin Charitable Society’s Act. About 50 women irrespective of caste, creed or politics are members of the society. This is the only TTI in the state which is run by a women’s organization.

Places of worship[link]

Temples[link]

Mukathala Murari (SreeKrishna) Temple

There are a number of temples, ashrams and holy sites in the city, including Sree Subramanya Swami Kshethram Poojappura, in Keralapuram near Kundara. The Mata Amritanandamayi Math is situated at Parayakadavu in this district, about 20 km from the Kollam. Aasramam Sreekrishna Swamy temple is in the city where the annual Kollam pooram takes place. The Mukhathala Murari (Sree Krishna Swamy) Temple^[13] at Mukhathala is about 10 km from the city. Umayanalloor Sree Balasubramanya Swamy(Lord Muruga)Temple about 8 km from Kollam. Sree Mahaganapathy temple at Kottarakara about 25 km from Kollam.

Vadakkevila Koonambaikulam Temple

Other temples in the city include Kottarakulam Mahaganapathy temple, Mulamkadakom Devi temple, Rameswaram temple, Mahavishnu temple at Thirumullavaram, Ammachiveedu temple, Ashtamudi Veerabhadraswami temple, Pattathanam Ammannada temple, Dharmasastha temple at Kadappakkada,Peroor sree meenakshi temple at Punthalathazham,Mangalathu temple^[14] at Punthalathazham,Puttingal temple at Paravur^[15] etc.

Gateway to Ashramam Sree Krishnaswamy Temple at Kollam

Mosques[link]

Some of the famous mosques are Valiyapalli at Jonakappuram, Chinnakada juma Masjid, Juma-'Ath Palli at Kollurvila, Juma-'Ath Palli at Thattamala, Muslim Juma-'Ath Palli at Karuva, Kalamala Palli at Kalamala, Muthirapparambu Palli at Muthirapparambu and Siyavathummodu Palli at Kilikolloor.^{[citation needed]}

The 300 year old Juma-'Ath Palli at Karuva houses the mortal remains of a Sufi saint-Syed Abdur Rahman Jifri in its premises.^{[citation needed]}

The Karbala Maidan and the adjacent Makani mosque serves as the Eid gah for the city's. Muthirapparambu Palli is the most important masjid in Kollam District. This masjid is situated in Vellaitambalam. One of the oldest masjid in Kerala, the mosque was built by an Labba family. The Maqbara of Muthirapparambu Uppa is famous in this masjid. Many people, Muslims and non-Muslims, are visiting this maqbara. Other important places are Asthamudi, Thirumullavaram, Mamootilkadavu and Thoppilkadavu, which are located near this masjid. The place has beautiful backwaters, which connect it to Kollam and Allapuzha. Several famous temples and churches are situated in this area.^{[16][Full citation needed]}

Churches[link]

The Apostle Thomas founded one of his "seven and a half churches" in First Century AD at Thevalakara in Kollam.

• Kadeesa Syrian Orthodox Church, Jonakapuram, Kollam, originally founded by the first Latin Bishop of Asia Jordanius Kathlani in the 14th century with the patronage of Nestorian Syrian liturgy Orthodox Christians

• St.Peters Church Moothakara,Infant Jesus Shrine Moothakara is a pilgrim center located near Civil Station
• Fathima Matha Shrine
• St.George shrine, Kadavoor
• St Anthony's Church Vaddy
• The CSI Christ Church,Craven L.M.S, Kollam claims to have its roots in the London Missionary Society. This missionary society like other religious and philanthropic organizations which sprang into existence at the close of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries was the result of the evangelistic revival among the Ezhava & Nadar communities of Kerala

• Infant Jesus Cathedral Thangasseri
• St. Casmir Church Mathilil, Kollam
• St. Sebastin church, Tuet, which is one of the pilgrim center located at kollam city. And Velankanni matha shrine is located at near the kollam bus station.
• Christ the king church, Kottappuram, Mulavana, Kollam
• The Disciples Fellowships, Pattathanam, Kollam

Hospitals[link]

This are some of the hospitals in Kollam. Organizations on this list should either have an accompanying existing article link which verifies their association, or reliable sources as footnotes against the name showing they are notable and in Kollam.

• Kerala E.N.T. Research Foundation (KERF), Thevally^[17]
• Bishop Benziger hospital^[18]
• Matha Hospital, Mathilil.
• Sanker's Hospital, Kollam
• Upasana Hospital, Kollam
• Dr. Nair's Hospital, Kollam
• Travancore Medical College, Medicity, Byepass, Kollam
• Azeezia Medical College Hospital, Meeyannoor, Kollam
• Kumar Hospital, Kollam
• Holy Cross Hospital, Kottiyam, Kollam
• Prathibha Hospital, Kollam
• ESIC Model Hospital, Ashramom, Kollam
• ESIC Medical College Hospital, Parippally, Kollam
• District Hospital, Kollam
• Govt. Victoria Hospital, Kollam
• Royal Hospital, Chathannoor
• J.S.M Maternity Hospital, Chathannoor
• Shivapriya Ayurveda Hospital, Karammcode, Chathannoor
• AM Hospital, Karunagappally, Kollam
• SBM Hospital, Karunagappally, Kollam
• Appolo Hospital, Karunagappaly, Kollam.
• Padmvathy SUperspecially Hospital, Sastham Cottah, Kollam.
• Parabhrhma Hospital Ochira Kollam,

Physiotherapy Centre[link]

• kaya rehabs (physiotherapy centre),Hospital Jn:,Kundara, Kollam

For Stay[link]

• Hotel Raviz, Mathilil, Kollam
• The Quilon Beach, Chinnakkada, Kollam
• Hotel Nani, Chinnakkada, Kollam
• Hotel Sea Bee
• Hotel Nila Palace, Ezhukone,Kollam
• Aquasserenne Resort, Paravur

Famous Personalities[link]

Industry[link]

• M. K. K. Nair IAS (1930 Dec 29 - 1987 Sep 27, Deputy Secretary of Government of India. Project Manager of Bhilai Steel Plant, General Manager & Managing Director of Fertilizers And Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT). Great contributions to industrial sector of Kerala and well known for the uplift of Kerala art and culture, especially Kathakali. He was the Chairman of Kerala Kalamandalam and Member of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy.)

Spiritual leaders[link]

• Chattampi Swamikal^[19]
• Mata Amritanandamayi
• Bishop Jerome Koivila
• Swami Santhananthagiri

Literature[link]

• Kakkanadan (Writer)
• K. C. Kesava Pillai (Poet)
• Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai (Historian)
• Sooranad Kunjan Pillai (Scholar)
• Lalithambika Antharjanam (Writer)
• Thirunalloor Karunakaran (Poet)
• O. N. V. Kurup (Poet)
• Pattathuvila Karunakaran (Short story writer)
• Johnson Eyeroor (Writer)
• Kureepuzha Sreekumar (Poet)
• Vrindavanam Venugopalan (Writer)
• D. Vinayachandran (Writer)
• K O Johnson (poet)
• K P Appan (Critic)

Politics[link]

• C. M. Stephen (opposition Leader, Republic of India-1977)
• T. M. Varghese (Freedom fighter)
• C. Kesavan (Freedom fighter)
• R. Sankar (Freedom fighter, Leader SNDP yogam, Ex-CM of kerala)
• Thangal Kunju Musaliar
• M. A. Baby {C.P.I (M), C.C.Member}
• P. K. Gurudasan (Minister, Labour and Excise)
• R. Balakrishna Pillai (Former Minister and founder of Kerala Congress)
• Baby john (Former Minister)
• Shibu Baby John (Minister for Labour & Rehabilitation of Kerala)
• K. B. Ganesh Kumar(Minister for Forest, Sports and Cinema of Kerala)
• E.Balandhan {Politburo Member C.P.I(M), C.C.Member}
• B.Wellington(former Minister for Health)

Journalism[link]

• K. Balakrishnan (Journalist)

Theatre, art, music, cinema[link]

• Pannisseri Nanu Pillai^{[citation needed]}
• O. Madhavan^{[citation needed]} (Theater Artist)
• V. Sambasivan^{[citation needed]} (Kadhaprasangam artist)
• Kambisseri Karunakaran, (Journalist, Drama-Cini artist & writer)
• Devarajan Master (Cine Music Director)
• Raveendran (Famous Cine Music Director)
• Resul Pookutty (Oscar award winner, sound technician)
• Shaji N. Karun (Film Director)
• Rajeev Anchal (Film Director)
• Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair (actor)
• Jayan (actor)
• Thilakan (actor)
• Murali (actor)
• Mukesh (actor)
• Suresh Gopi (actor)
• Kollam Thulasi (actor)
• Balachandra Menon (actor)
• Kundara jhony (actor)
• Urvashi (actress)
• Kalpana (actress)
• Kalaranjini (actress)
• Saikumar^{[citation needed]} (actor)
• K. B. Ganesh Kumar^{[citation needed]} (Cine Artist, Minister for Forest, Sports and Cinema of Kerala)
• Benny Dayal^[20] (Playback Singer)
• Thoppil Bhasi(Drama)

Sports[link]

• Suresh Babu (Olympian athlete)
• T. C. Yohannan (Athlete)

See also[link]

• Kollam district
• Kollam Beach
• Kollam Fest
• President's Trophy Boat Race
• Kollam pooram

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kollam

• Kollam District official website
• The enhanced version of the Kollam Official website

v t e Portuguese Overseas Empire North Africa 15th century 1415–1640  Ceuta 1458–1550  Alcácer Ceguer (El Qsar es Seghir) 1471–1550  Arzila (Asilah) 1471–1662  Tangier 1485–1550  Mazagan (El Jadida) 1487– middle 16th century  Ouadane 1488–1541  Safim (Safi) 1489  Graciosa 16th century 1505–1769  Santa Cruz do Cabo  de Gué (Agadir) 1506–1525  Mogador (Essaouira) 1506–1525  Aguz (Souira Guedima) 1506–1769  Mazagan (El Jadida) 1513–1541  Azamor (Azemmour) 1515  São João da Mamora (Mehdya) 1577–1589  Arzila (Asilah) Sub-Saharan Africa 15th century 1455–1633  Anguim 1462–1975  Cape Verde 1470–1975  São Tomé1 1474–1778  Annobón 1478–1778  Fernando Poo (Bioko) 1482–1637  Elmina (São Jorge  da Mina) 1482–1642  Portuguese Gold Coast 1508–1547 (1600)  Madagascar2 1498–1540  Mascarene Islands 16th century 1500–1630  Malindi 1500–1975  Príncipe1 1501–1975  Portuguese E. Africa  (Mozambique) 1502–1659  Saint Helena 1503–1698  Zanzibar 1505–1512  Quíloa (Kilwa) 1506–1511  Socotra 1557–1578  Accra 1575–1975  Portuguese W. Africa  (Angola) 1588–1974  Cacheu3 1593–1698  Mombassa (Mombasa) 17th century 1645–1888  Ziguinchor 1680–1961  São João Baptista de Ajudá 1687–1974  Bissau3 18th century 1728–1729  Mombassa (Mombasa) 1753–1975  São Tomé and Príncipe 19th century 1879–1974  Portuguese Guinea 1885–1975  Portuguese Congo   1 Part of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1753.   2 A Factory (Anosy region) and small temporary coastal bases.   3 Part of Portuguese Guinea from 1879. Southwest Asia 16th century 1506–1615  Gamru (Bandar-Abbas) 1507–1643  Sohar 1515–1622  Hormuz (Ormus) 1515–1648  Quriyat 1515–?   Qalhat 1515–1650  Muscat 1515?–?   Barka 1515–1633? Julfar (Ras al-Khaimah) 1521–1602  Bahrain (Muharraq and Manama) 1521–1529?  Qatif 1521?–1551? Tarut Island 1550–1551  Qatif 1588–1648  Matrah 17th century 1620–?   Khor Fakkan 1621?–?   As Sib 1621–1622  Qeshm 1623–?   Khasab 1623–?   Libedia 1624–?   Kalba 1624–?   Madha 1624–1648  Dibba Al-Hisn 1624?–?   Bandar-e Kong Indian subcontinent 15th century 1498–1545  Laccadive Islands       (Lakshadweep) 16th century Portuguese India · 1500–1663  Cochim (Kochi) · 1501–1663  Cannanore (Kannur) · 1502–1658, 1659-1661  Quilon (Coulão/Kollam) · 1502–1661  Pallipuram (Cochin de Cima) · 1507–1657  Negapatam (Nagapatnam) · 1510–1962  Goa · 1512–1525, 1750  Calicut (Kozhikode) · 1518–1619  Portuguese Paliacate trading outpost (Pulicat) · 1521–1740  Chaul · 1523–1662  Mylapore · 1528–1666  Chittagong · 1531–1571  Chaul · 1531–1571  Chalé · 1534–1601  Salsette Island · 1534–1661  Bombay (Mumbai) · 1535  Ponnani · 1535–1739  Baçaím (Vasai-Virar) · 1536–1662  Cranganore (Kodungallur) · 1540–1612  Surat · 1548–1658  Tuticorin (Thoothukudi) 16th century (continued) Portuguese India (continued) · 1559–1962  Daman and Diu · 1568–1659  Mangalore · 1579–1632  Hugli · 1598–1610  Masulipatnam (Machilipatnam) 1518–1521  Maldives 1518–1658  Portuguese Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 1558–1573  Maldives 17th century Portuguese India · 1687–1749  Mylapore 18th century Portuguese India · 1779–1954  Dadra and Nagar Haveli East Asia and Oceania 16th century 1511–1641  Portuguese Malacca 1512–1621  Maluku · 1522–1575  Ternate · 1576–1605  Ambon · 1578–1650  Tidore 1512–1665  Makassar 1553–1999  Macau 1571–1639  Decima (Dejima, Nagasaki) 17th century 1642–1975  Portuguese Timor (East Timor)1 19th century Macau · 1864–1999  Coloane · 1849–1999  Portas do Cerco · 1851–1999  Taipa · 1890–1999  Ilha Verde 20th century Macau · 1938–1941  Lapa and Montanha (Hengqin) 1  1975 is the year of East Timor's Declaration of Independence and subsequent invasion by Indonesia. In 2002, East Timor's independence was recognized by Portugal & the world. North America and the North Atlantic Ocean 15th century 1420 Madeira 1432 Azores 16th century 1500–1579?  Terra Nova (Newfoundland) 1500–1579?  Labrador 1516–1579?  Nova Scotia Central and South America 16th century 1500–1822  Brazil 1536–1620  Barbados 17th century 1680–1777  Nova Colónia do Sacramento 19th century 1808–1822  Cisplatina (Uruguay) 1809–1817  Portuguese Guiana 1822  Upper Peru (Bolivia) Portuguese colonization of the Americas - Theory of Portuguese discovery of Australia - Portuguese colonialism in Indonesia

Ar Rahman may refer to:

• Ar-Rahman, sura of the Qur'an
• A. R. Rahman, Indian musician and composer

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

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His Eminence  Francis Eugene George O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago
Cardinal George at the May 2011 inauguration of Mayor Rahm Emanuel
See	Chicago
Appointed	April 7, 1997
Enthroned	May 7, 1997 (&1000000000000001500000015 years, &1000000000000004700000047 days)
Predecessor	Joseph Bernardin
Other posts	Cardinal-Priest of S. Bartolomeo all’Isola
Orders
Ordination	December 21, 1963 by Raymond Peter Hillinger
Consecration	September 21, 1990 by Agostino Cacciavillan
Created Cardinal	February 21, 1998
Rank	Cardinal-Priest
Personal details
Birth name	Francis Eugene George
Born	(1937-01-16) January 16, 1937 (age 75) Chicago, Illinois, USA
Nationality	American
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Previous post	Bishop of Yakima (1990–1996) Archbishop of Portland (1996–1997)
Motto	Christo gloria in ecclesia
Coat of arms

Francis Eugene George, OMI (born January 16, 1937) is an American cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is the eighth and current Archbishop of Chicago, previously serving as Bishop of Yakima (1990–1996) and Archbishop of Portland (1996–1997).^[1]

A member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, George was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1998.^[2] He served as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2007 to 2010.

Early life and education[link]

Francis George was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Francis J. and Julia R. (née McCarthy) George.^[3] He has an older sister, Margaret.^[4] He received his early education at the parochial school of St. Pascal Church in Chicago's Northwest Side.^[5]

George contracted polio at age 13.^[6] Due to his disability, he was rejected by Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary, and instead enrolled at St. Henry Preparatory Seminary in Belleville, a high school seminary of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.^[7] He joined the Missionary Oblates on August 14, 1957.^[3] He continued his studies at the Oblates novitiate in Godfrey before entering Our Lady of the Snows Seminary in Pass Christian, Mississippi.^[5]

George was then sent to study theology at the University of Ottawa in Canada.^[2] He made his solemn vows as a member of the Missionary Oblates on September 8, 1961.^[5]

Priesthood[link]

On December 21, 1963, George was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Raymond Hillinger at his home parish of St. Pascal Church.^[1] He received a Bachelor of Theology degree from the University of Ottawa in 1964, followed by a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1965.^[2] He then taught philosophy at Our Lady of the Snows Seminary in Pass Christian (1964–69), Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana (1968), and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska (1969–1973).^[3]

During his teaching assignments, George earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in American Philosophy from Tulane University in 1970, and a Master of Theology degree from the University of Ottawa in 1971.^[4] He served as provincial superior of the Midwestern Province for the Missionary Oblates in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from 1973 until 1974, when he became vicar general of his religious order.^[5] Based in Rome, he served as vicar general for 12 years. He obtained a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in 1988, with a thesis entitled: "Inculturation and communion".^[2]

George returned to the United States, where he served as coordinator of the Circle of Fellows at the Center for the Study of Faith and Culture in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1987–90).^[4]

Early episcopacy[link]

On July 10, 1990, George was appointed the fifth Bishop of Yakima in Washington by Pope John Paul II.^[1] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 21 from Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, with Bishops Roger Schwietz, OMI, and William S. Skylstad serving as co-consecrators, at Holy Family Church in Yakima.^[1] He took as his episcopal motto: Christo Gloria in Ecclesia (Latin: "To Christ be Glory in the Church").^[8]

George served the Diocese of Yakima for five and a half years. As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), he served as chair of the Commission for Bishops and Scholars (1992–1994), and as a consultant to the Committees on Evangelization (1991–93), Hispanic Affairs (1994–97), and Science and Values (1994–97).^[3] He was episcopal advisor to the Cursillo Movement (Region XII) from 1990 to 1997, and episcopal moderator of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities from 1990 to 2008. He was a papal appointee to the 1994 World Synod of Bishops on Consecrated Life, and attended the Ninth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Vatican City in October 1994.^[2]

On April 30, 1996, George was appointed the ninth Archbishop of Portland in Oregon.^[1] He was installed on the following May 27 at St. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. During his brief tenure, he led the Archdiocese's response to a tape recording by the Lane County jail of an inmate's sacramental confession; the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals later ruled that the tape recording was an unconstitutional and illegal act.^[5]

Archbishop of Chicago[link]

Styles of Francis George
Reference style	His Eminence
Spoken style	Your Eminence
Informal style	Cardinal
See	Chicago

Coat of Arms of Cardinal George

Less than a year later, on April 8, 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed Archbishop George the eighth Archbishop of Chicago to fill a vacancy left by the death of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin on November 14, 1996. He was the first native Chicagoan to assume the office. On May 7 after his appointment, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Agostino Cacciavillan installed Archbishop George as Archbishop of Chicago in Holy Name Cathedral.

On January 18, 1998, Pope John Paul II announced Archbishop George's elevation to the Sacred College of Cardinals with the title of Cardinal-Priest of San Bartolomeo all'Isola. Newly named Cardinal George was awarded the privileges of the scarlet vestments and biretta in consistory at the Vatican on February 21.

George was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI. He will be eligible to participate in any future papal conclaves that occur before January 16, 2017 when he will reach his 80th birthday.

At the conclave, he, like Cardinal Rigali of Philadelphia, was known as a conservative supporter of Benedict, saying afterward in a press conference, "It was a choice that was apparent almost immediately."

Cardinal George publishes a locally well-read column bi-monthly in the Chicago archdiocesan newspaper of which he is Publisher, The Catholic New World, called "The Cardinal's Column". He is also the Publisher of the Archdiocese of Chicago's Hispanic and Polish newspapers, respectively Chicago Católico and Katolik.

He has published at least two pastoral letters. The first, "Becoming An Evangelizing People", was released on November 21, 1997. The second was a major discourse on the sinful and destructive nature of racism, Dwell in My Love, released on April 4, 2001.

The Cardinal is the author of two locally well-known books. The first, The Difference God Makes: A Catholic Vision of Faith, Communion, and Culture, was published in October 2009 by Crossroad Publishing Company. It is a collection of essays exploring our relationship with God, the responsibility of communion and the transformation of culture. His most recent book, God in Action: How Faith in God Can Address the Challenges of the World, was published in May 2011 by Doubleday Religion. In this collection of essays, he reflects on the significance of religious faith in the public sphere and underscores the unique contributions of religion to the common good.

As Cardinal Bernardin referred to himself as "Joseph your brother", George refers to himself as "Francis your neighbor".

George is also known for continuing the work of his predecessor Cardinal Bernardin, regarding young people in the church – specifically, by addressing the archdiocese's annual Theology on Tap gathering in 1997. In his invitation to the event, he wrote, “You are very important members of the Church. Your energy, talent and faith will give me much help as together we build up our local Church to be a vital presence in the Chicago area. Together we can continue the mission of Jesus Christ to bring the Gospel of love, forgiveness and holiness to all the places where we live and encounter others.”

Interfaith relations[link]

In 2007, he asked Jews to reconsider descriptions of Jesus in the Talmud as a "bastard" in exchange for a softening of traditional Catholic prayers calling for Jews to be converted to Christianity.^[9] In 2009, he condemned negationist declarations made by bishop Richard Williamson, a member of the Society of Saint Pius X.^[10]

In 2010, he spoke at Brigham Young University about the continued need for Catholics and Mormons to stand together to protect religious freedom. "In recent years, Catholics and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have stood more frequently side by side in the public square to defend human life and dignity," Cardinal George said. He also praised the LDS Church for its efforts alongside the Catholic Church to combat poverty and pornography and the need to define marriage as between one man and one woman.^[11]

Later in 2010, he further outlined the degree to which he believed religious freedoms (in the United States and other Western societies) was endangered. After the passage of legislation that enabled Civil Unions in Illinois, his eminence stated, "I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square".^[12] This statement has widely been interpreted as reactionary by liberal members of the American political left and accurate by conservative members of the American political right.

Extra-diocesan posts[link]

Pope John Paul II appointed Cardinal George to several offices of the Roman Curia:

• Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
• Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
• Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
• Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church
• Congregation for Oriental Churches
• Pontifical Council for Culture
• Pontifical Council Cor Unum

In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to the Pontifical Council for the Study of the Organizational and Economic Problems of the Holy See.

He was appointed by Pope John Paul II to the 1994 World Synod of Bishops on Consecrated Life and a delegate and one of two special secretaries at the Synod of Bishops for America in 1997. He was a delegate of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to the 2001 World Synod of Bishops, and was also elected to the Council for the World Synod of Bishops in 2001. He served as a delegate of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for the 2008 World Synod of Bishops on "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.

He served as Vice President (2004–2007) and President (2007–2010) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is a member of its Committee on Divine Worship and its Ad Hoc Committee on Shrines. He also serves as a consultant to the Committee on Doctrine and Pro-Life Activities and the Subcommittee on Lay Ministry.

He has also served on Conference of Bishops Committees on Doctrine, on Latin America, on Missions, on Religious Life, the American Board of Catholic Missions, and on World Missions; on the Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism and the Subcommittee on Campus Ministry.

He was Chair of the Committee for Bishops and Scholars from 1992–1994, and of the Committee on Liturgy from 2001–2004, and a consultant to the Committees on Evangelization (1991–1993), Hispanic Affairs (1994–1997), Science and Values (1994–1997), and African American Catholics (1999–2002). He was the Representative to the International Commission on English and the Liturgy from 1997–2006.

Because of his position as Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago, since 1997, when he assumed the office, he has been the de facto Chancellor of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (the Archdiocesan Seminary in the suburb of Mundelein, Illinois; both the seminary and the town are named after Cardinal George Mundelein, a deceased former Archbishop of Chicago).

He is the Chancellor, since 1997, of the Catholic Church Extension Society. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Washington, D.C.-based Catholic University of America since 1993. From 1997, he has been a Trustee of the Papal Foundation. In 1994, he became a member of the Board of Directors of the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since 1997, he has been a member of the Board of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

He has been the Episcopal Liaison to the Catholic Campus Ministry Association Executive Board since 1998 and is now also the Episcopal Moderator for the Ministry of Transportation Chaplains, serving since 2003. He also served as Episcopal Advisor to the Cursillo Movement, Region XII, from 1990 to 1997.

From 1990 to 2008, he was Episcopal Moderator and member of the board of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities (now known as the National Catholic Partnership on Disability). He brought personal experience to his role after a five-month bout with poliomyelitis at age 13 left him with permanent damage to his legs.

Cardinal George is Conventual Chaplain ad honorem of the Federal Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Grand Prior of the North Central Lieutenancy of the United States for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and a member of the Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards Advisory Board. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Oblate Media, Belleville, Illinois, since 1988.

He is a member of the American Catholic Philosophical Association, the American Society of Missiologists, and the Catholic Commission on Intellectual and Cultural Affairs.

Recent events and speculation on retirement and succession[link]

Cardinal George had been mentioned as potential candidate to succeed Pope John Paul II according to TIME magazine^{[citation needed]}, and later to succeed Pope Benedict XVI as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. However, Benedict appointed former Archbishop of San Francisco William Levada to fill that office. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Catholic University of America, the Chancellor of Mundelein Seminary and Loyola University Chicago, and a member of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. In May 2008, Father Robert Barron, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, was named the first holder of the endowed Francis Cardinal George Chair of Systematic Theology at Mundelein Seminary, the second such named endowed chair the university started.

In March 2009 Cardinal George met with newly elected United States President Barack Obama.^[13] In the fall of 2010, he finished his three-year presidency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; he was succeeded by Archbishop Dolan of New York. Cardinal George turned 74 in January 2011, and as bishops are required to make an offer to the Pope to resign at age 75 (which may be deferred by the Pope until later), speculation is already beginning over who could succeed him given that George has had cancer, has fallen, and suffers from the after effects of childhood polio. However, he remains in relatively good shape considering those matters. He remains eligible to vote in future Papal conclaves until his 80th birthday in 2017.

In July 2011, Cardinal George was chosen to be one of eight U.S. Bishops- selected by the Roman Curia's Pontifical Council for the Laity, the Vatican body that convenes the event- to serve as catechists at the August 2011 World Youth Day celebration in Madrid, Spain. Cardinal George will celebrate a Mass during the event on the morning of Saturday, August 20 at Madrid's air-conditioned Palacio de los Deportes before sending them out to the Cuatro Vientos Airport that night for the Prayer Vigil that night and the Papal Mass that closes the gathering the next day.

On January 16, 2012, Cardinal George turned 75 and formally submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI. The Cardinal noted he is a rarity among Chicago's bishops for having lived to see the possibility of retirement. He named the Very Reverend Father Peter F. Śnieg, until then the Rector of St. Joseph's Seminary at Loyola University Chicago, as the Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese. Jimmy M. Lago remains as Chancellor. He has served for 12 years as Archdiocesan Chancellor. Snieg will report to the Cardinal. He appointed the Reverend Father Paul C. Stein, until then pastor of Chicago's St. Sylvester Parish, as Father Sing's successor as Rector. The Cardinal anticipates remaining in office for about another two or three years so he can ensure a smooth transition, resolve certain issues and finish some current projects.^[14]

Comments on homosexuality[link]

A proposed change in route and start time for the 2012 annual Chicago Pride Parade (which would pass by a Catholic church on the new route) drew pointed criticism from Cardinal George. In a discussion with a Chicago Fox News Affiliate, the Cardinal said "you don’t want the Gay Liberation Movement to morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan."^[15] In response, LGBT advocates in Chicago have called for the Cardinal's resignation.^[16] The growing outcry resulted in the Cardinal's apology "for the hurt" his remarks had caused; the Cardinal's motivation for the remarks was a growing concern that the federal and state governments were impinging on the rights of Catholics by forcing them to abide by policies, enacted into law recently, which practicing Catholics who follow the Church's example would find questionable or objectionable. The Cardinal inferred in his statements that he had either family members or close friends who had dealt either with being gay or lesbian or having family members who were.;^[17] debate remains in the LGBT community as to whether this apology is sufficient.^[18]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Cardinal George Fanclub – News Coverage, Commentary & Resources
• Archdiocese of Chicago – Official Site
• Catholic New World Newspaper
• Parish Directory
• Schools Directory
• Cardinal George's catholic-pages bio

Episcopal succession[link]

v t e Ordinaries of the Archdiocese of Chicago Bishops William Quarter  • James Oliver Van de Velde  • Anthony O'Regan  • James Duggan Archbishops Patrick Feehan  • James Edward Quigley  • George Mundelein • Samuel Stritch  • Albert Gregory Meyer  • John Cody  • Joseph Bernardin  • Francis George