The Eparchy of Belthangady was erected by the Papal Bull ?CUM AMPLA?, dated 24th April 1999, of His Holiness Pope John Paul II as a suffragan of the Archeparchy of Tellicherry. This eparchy has been established for the Syro-Malabar Catholics of the three civil districts of Karnataka State, viz., Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. It took more than 50 years for the Syro-Malabar Catholics living in this area to become an Eparchy. As Dakshina Kannada (including present Udupi District) is in Karnataka State with a different language and culture, it was difficult to cater to the spiritual needs of the faithful directly from Thalassery. Hence it was declared a Mission Province of the Archeparchy of Tellicherry on 11 November 1979 by Mar Sebastian Vallopilly and appointed Very Rev. Fr. K.M. Peter as the Episcopal Vicar of the Mission. Very Rev. Fr. Peter Koottiany was the Episcopal Vicar of D. K. Mission till May 16, 1997. During the 18 years of his able and dedicated leadership the D. K. Mission grew to become an Eparchy later. Very Rev. Fr. Lawrence Mukkuzhy succeeded Very Rev. Fr. K.M. Peter as the Second Episcopal Vicar on the same day. The Mission grew up and finally in April 24, 1999, the Eparchy of Belthangady was erected and the eparchy was inaugurated on 4 August 1999.