Kandy (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Joseph Vianney Fernando, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 1 September 1886
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Colombo
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Sri Lanka
Square Kilometers: 5,753 (2,222 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, 873 Peradeniya Rd., Kandy, Sri Lanka
Telephone: (074)47.16.01/2
Fax: (08)23.27.92

Historical Details

Vicariate Apostolic of Kandy
- Latin Name: Kandiensis
- Erected: 20 April 1883
- Vicariate
- Country: Sri Lanka

Past and Present Ordinaries

Clemente Pagnani, O.S.B. † (20 Apr 1883 Appointed - Jun 1911 Died)
Bede Beekmeyer, O.S.B. † (19 Apr 1912 Appointed - 22 May 1935 Died)
Bernardo Regno, O.S.B. † (27 Jan 1936 Appointed - 24 Sep 1958 Resigned)
Leo Nanayakkara, O.S.B. † (2 Jul 1959 Appointed - 18 Dec 1972 Appointed, Bishop of Badulla)
Appasinghe Paul Perera † (17 May 1973 Appointed - 16 May 1989 Died)
Joseph Vianney Fernando (17 Mar 1983 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Vicariate Apostolic of Kandy
20 April 1883	Erected		Vicariate Apostolic of Kandy (erected)
Diocese of Kandy
1 September 1886	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Kandy	Diocese of Kandy
18 December 1972	Territory Lost	Diocese of Kandy	Diocese of Badulla (erected)

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 Kandy

1950 47,723 1,473,761 3.2% 11 37 48 994 7 188 12 ap1951

1970 65,000 2,355,620 2.8% 24 71 95 684 120 276 21 ap1971

1980 55,818 2,218,000 2.5% 44 44 88 634 62 208 17 ap1981

1990 62,615 2,257,000 2.8% 22 17 39 1,605 1 88 196 20 ap1991

1999 79,479 2,005,956 4.0% 30 14 44 1,806 116 227 22 ap2000

2000 80,501 2,005,956 4.0% 33 14 47 1,712 1 122 227 22 ap2001

2001 83,313 2,005,956 4.2% 31 14 45 1,851 136 220 22 ap2002

2002 85,359 2,008,002 4.3% 32 49 81 1,053 169 201 22 ap2003

2003 85,359 2,008,002 4.3% 33 46 79 1,080 154 219 22 ap2004

2004 75,435 2,414,973 3.1% 36 54 90 838 182 216 23 ap2005

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 Kandy
1950	47,723	1,473,761	3.2%	11	37	48	994		7	188	12	ap1951
1970	65,000	2,355,620	2.8%	24	71	95	684		120	276	21	ap1971
1980	55,818	2,218,000	2.5%	44	44	88	634		62	208	17	ap1981
1990	62,615	2,257,000	2.8%	22	17	39	1,605	1	88	196	20	ap1991
1999	79,479	2,005,956	4.0%	30	14	44	1,806		116	227	22	ap2000
2000	80,501	2,005,956	4.0%	33	14	47	1,712	1	122	227	22	ap2001
2001	83,313	2,005,956	4.2%	31	14	45	1,851		136	220	22	ap2002
2002	85,359	2,008,002	4.3%	32	49	81	1,053		169	201	22	ap2003
2003	85,359	2,008,002	4.3%	33	46	79	1,080		154	219	22	ap2004
2004	75,435	2,414,973	3.1%	36	54	90	838		182	216	23	ap2005

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

Affiliated Bishops

Bede Beekmeyer, O.S.B. † (Bishop: 19 Apr 1912 to 22 May 1935)
Joseph Vianney Fernando (Bishop: 17 Mar 1983 - )
Ivan Tilak Jayasundera (Priest: 3 Aug 1985 to 20 Jan 2006)
Leo Nanayakkara, O.S.B. † (Bishop: 2 Jul 1959 to 18 Dec 1972)
Clemente Pagnani, O.S.B. † (Vicar Apostolic: 20 Apr 1883; Bishop: 25 Nov 1886 to Jun 1911)
Appasinghe Paul Perera † (Priest: 24 Aug 1939; Bishop: 17 May 1973 to 16 May 1989)
Bernardo Regno, O.S.B. † (Bishop: 27 Jan 1936 to 24 Sep 1958)

Diocese of Kandy