Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore

Historical Details

• Diocese of Pondicherry
  • Latin Name: Pondicheriensis
  • Erected: 1 September 1886
  • Country: India

• Archdiocese of Pondicherry
  • Latin Name: Pondicheriensis
  • Elevated: 7 June 1887
  • Metropolitan See
  • Country: India

Past and Present Ordinaries

• Clément Bonnand, M.E.P. † (3 Apr 1850 Appointed - 21 Mar 1861 Died)
• Joseph-Isidore Godelle, M.E.P. † (21 Mar 1861 Succeeded - 15 Jul 1867 Died)
• François-Jean-Marie Laouënan, M.E.P. † (24 Jul 1868 Appointed - 29 Sep 1892 Died)
• François-Xavier Corbet (Corbey), C.S.Sp. † (21 Jan 1880 Appointed - 5 Jul 1898 Appointed, Titular Bishop of Obba)
• François-Jean-Marie Laouënan, M.E.P. † (25 Nov 1886 Appointed - 29 Sep 1892 Died)
• Joseph-Adolphe Gandy, M.E.P. † (29 Sep 1892 Succeeded - 26 Mar 1909 Died)
• Elie-Jean-Joseph Morel, M.E.P. † (11 May 1909 Appointed - 16 Aug 1929 Resigned)
• Auguste-Siméon Colas, M.E.P. † (24 Jun 1930 Appointed - 28 Oct 1955 Retired)
• Ambrose Rayappan † (28 Nov 1955 Succeeded - 17 Mar 1973 Resigned)
• Venmani S. Selvanather † (17 Mar 1973 Appointed - 18 Feb 1992 Retired)
• Michael Augustine (18 Feb 1992 Appointed - 10 Jun 2004 Resigned)
• Antony Anandarayar (10 Jun 2004 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
Archdiocese of Pondicherry
1950	147,500	3,019,275	4.9%	65	48	113	1,305		12	450	50	ap1951
Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore
1970	163,262	3,417,052	4.8%	86		86	1,898		46	594	50	ap1971
1980	206,245	4,076,000	5.1%	95	16	111	1,858		27	787	59	ap1981
1990	278,500	4,765,000	5.8%	114	11	125	2,228		24	825	66	ap1991
1999	277,350	6,326,570	4.4%	131	29	160	1,733		42	925	81	ap2000
2000	283,610	6,333,830	4.5%	136	25	161	1,761		43	930	85	ap2001
2001	288,610	6,363,830	4.5%	131	23	154	1,874		39	799	87	ap2002
2002	293,610	6,393,830	4.6%	135	23	158	1,858		41	841	87	ap2003
2003	299,667	6,413,945	4.7%	137	26	163	1,838		46	910	87	ap2004
2004	305,306	6,522,756	4.7%	139	30	169	1,806		49	912	89	ap2005

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Yvon Ambroise (Priest: 23 Dec 1967 to 1 Apr 2005)
• Antony Anandarayar (Archbishop: 10 Jun 2004 - )
• Michael Augustine (Priest: 15 Apr 1961 to 30 Jan 1978; Archbishop: 18 Feb 1992 to 10 Jun 2004)
• Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy (Priest: 21 Dec 1951 to 2 Jul 1962)

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Clément Bonnand, M.E.P. † (Vicar Apostolic: 3 Apr 1850 to 21 Mar 1861)
• Auguste-Siméon Colas, M.E.P. † (Archbishop: 24 Jun 1930 to 28 Oct 1955)
• François-Xavier Corbet (Corbey), C.S.Sp. † (Prefect: 21 Jan 1880 to 5 Jul 1898)
• Joseph-Adolphe Gandy, M.E.P. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 16 Mar 1883; Coadjutor Archbishop: 15 Jan 1889; Archbishop: 29 Sep 1892 to 26 Mar 1909)
• Joseph-Isidore Godelle, M.E.P. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 3 Apr 1857; Vicar Apostolic: 21 Mar 1861 to 15 Jul 1867)
• Joseph Mark Gopu † (Auxiliary Bishop: 8 Jul 1948 to 8 Jan 1953)
• François-Jean-Marie Laouënan, M.E.P. † (Vicar Apostolic: 24 Jul 1868; Bishop: 25 Nov 1886; Archbishop: 7 Jun 1887 to 29 Sep 1892)
• Elie-Jean-Joseph Morel, M.E.P. † (Archbishop: 11 May 1909 to 16 Aug 1929)
• Ambrose Rayappan † (Auxiliary Bishop: 8 Jan 1953; Coadjutor Archbishop: 7 Aug 1953; Archbishop: 28 Nov 1955 to 17 Mar 1973)
• Venmani S. Selvanather † (Archbishop: 17 Mar 1973 to 18 Feb 1992)