Diocese of Jaffna

Historical Details

• Vicariate Apostolic of Jaffna
  • Latin Name: Iaffnensis
  • Erected: 17 February 1845
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Sri Lanka

Past and Present Ordinaries

• Orazio Bettacchini, C.O. † (28 Aug 1849 Appointed - 26 Jul 1857 Died)
• Jean-Etienne Sémeria, O.M.I. † (26 Jul 1857 Succeeded - 23 Jan 1868 Died)
• Christophe-Etienne Bonjean, O.M.I. † (24 Jul 1868 Confirmed - 20 Apr 1883 Appointed, Vicar Apostolic of Colombo)
• André-Théophile Mélizan, O.M.I. † (20 Apr 1883 Succeeded - 5 Mar 1893 Appointed, Archbishop of Colombo)
• Henri Joulain, O.M.I. † (20 Jul 1893 Appointed - 8 Feb 1919 Died)
• Jules-André Brault, O.M.I. † (5 Aug 1919 Appointed - 20 Jan 1923 Died)
• Alfred-Jean Guyomard, O.M.I. † (16 Jan 1924 Appointed - 18 Jul 1950 Resigned)
• Jerome Emilianus Pillai, O.M.I. † (18 Jul 1950 Succeeded - 17 Jul 1972 Died)
• Jacob Bastiampillai Deogupillai † (18 Dec 1972 Appointed - 6 Jul 1992 Retired)
• Thomas Savundaranayagam (6 Jul 1992 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Jaffna
1950	63,652	415,335	15.3%	14	76	90	707		123	201	42	ap1951
1970	124,582	1,100,000	11.3%	40	55	95	1,311		82	362	391	ap1971
1980	172,667	994,000	17.4%	57	32	89	1,940		66	344	56	ap1981
1990	156,120	1,000,000	15.6%	53	44	97	1,609		73	354	43	ap1991
1999	155,840	1,064,436	14.6%	75	15	90	1,731		26	190	49	ap2000
2000	157,398	1,064,464	14.8%	79	15	94	1,674		28	195	49	ap2001
2001	159,782	1,093,153	14.6%	84	16	100	1,597		30	193	49	ap2002
2002	161,581	1,093,153	14.8%	87	19	106	1,524		42	193	49	ap2003
2003	163,950	1,359,539	12.1%	80	29	109	1,504		54	191	49	ap2004
2004	166,329	1,625,925	10.2%	91	33	124	1,341		60	201	50	ap2005
2006	163,895	1,406,230	11.7%	98	32	130	1,260		64	212	51	ap2007

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Thomas Savundaranayagam (Priest: 21 Dec 1963 to 24 Jan 1981; Bishop: 6 Jul 1992)

  ---

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Leo Rajendram Antony † (Priest: 7 Dec 1954; Auxiliary Bishop: 3 Aug 1968 to 18 Dec 1972)
• Orazio Bettacchini, C.O. † (Vicar Apostolic: 28 Aug 1849 to 26 Jul 1857)
• Christophe-Etienne Bonjean, O.M.I. † (Vicar Apostolic: 24 Jul 1868 to 20 Apr 1883)
• Jules-André Brault, O.M.I. † (Bishop: 5 Aug 1919 to 20 Jan 1923)
• Jacob Bastiampillai Deogupillai † (Priest: 22 Dec 1941 to 9 Feb 1967; Bishop: 18 Dec 1972 to 6 Jul 1992)
• Alfred-Jean Guyomard, O.M.I. † (Bishop: 16 Jan 1924 to 18 Jul 1950)
• Henri Joulain, O.M.I. † (Bishop: 20 Jul 1893 to 8 Feb 1919)
• André-Théophile Mélizan, O.M.I. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 8 Aug 1879; Vicar Apostolic: 20 Apr 1883; Bishop: 25 Nov 1886 to 5 Mar 1893)
• Jerome Emilianus Pillai, O.M.I. † (Coadjutor Bishop: 10 Mar 1949; Bishop: 18 Jul 1950 to 17 Jul 1972)
• Jean-Etienne Sémeria, O.M.I. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 6 Jun 1856; Vicar Apostolic: 26 Jul 1857 to 23 Jan 1868)