Diocese of Salem

Dioecesis Salemensis

Bishop(s)

Sebastianappan Singaroyan, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 26 May 1930
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: India
Square Kilometers: 8,368 (3,232 Square Miles)
Official Web Site: http://www.salemdiocese.org/
Mailing Address: P.B. 703, Salem-636007, Tamil Nadu, India
Telephone: (0427)41.56.41
Fax: 41.44.80

Past and Present Ordinaries

Henri-Aimé-Anatole Prunier, M.E.P. † (26 May 1930 Appointed - 20 Nov 1947 Resigned)
Venmani S. Selvanather † (3 Mar 1949 Appointed - 17 Mar 1973 Appointed, Archbishop of Pondicherry and Cuddalore)
Michael Bosco Duraisamy † (28 Feb 1974 Appointed - 9 Jun 1999 Died)
Sebastianappan Singaroyan (5 Jul 2000 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
26 May 1930	Erected	Diocese of Kumbakonam Diocese of Mysore Archdiocese of Pondicherry	Diocese of Salem (erected)
24 January 1997	Territory Lost	Diocese of Salem	Diocese of Dharmapuri (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1950 40,094 2,800,000 1.4% 30 23 53 756 8 150 30 ap1951

1970 60,455 3,457,865 1.7% 61 10 71 851 41 361 38 ap1971

1980 77,158 4,843,615 1.6% 78 15 93 829 1 123 523 49 ap1981

1990 102,441 8,408,000 1.2% 89 15 104 985 1 104 545 54 ap1991

1999 78,164 4,534,840 1.7% 72 95 167 468 1 209 391 38 ap2000

2000 80,500 4,670,844 1.7% 66 93 159 506 1 200 403 38 ap2001

2001 81,010 4,870,920 1.7% 66 18 84 964 1 110 405 38 ap2002

2002 81,920 4,919,629 1.7% 60 20 80 1,024 1 117 408 39 ap2003

2003 83,140 4,990,255 1.7% 62 20 82 1,013 1 114 421 39 ap2004

2004 84,072 5,040,157 1.7% 65 23 88 955 1 123 458 39 ap2005

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1950	40,094	2,800,000	1.4%	30	23	53	756		8	150	30	ap1951
1970	60,455	3,457,865	1.7%	61	10	71	851		41	361	38	ap1971
1980	77,158	4,843,615	1.6%	78	15	93	829	1	123	523	49	ap1981
1990	102,441	8,408,000	1.2%	89	15	104	985	1	104	545	54	ap1991
1999	78,164	4,534,840	1.7%	72	95	167	468	1	209	391	38	ap2000
2000	80,500	4,670,844	1.7%	66	93	159	506	1	200	403	38	ap2001
2001	81,010	4,870,920	1.7%	66	18	84	964	1	110	405	38	ap2002
2002	81,920	4,919,629	1.7%	60	20	80	1,024	1	117	408	39	ap2003
2003	83,140	4,990,255	1.7%	62	20	82	1,013	1	114	421	39	ap2004
2004	84,072	5,040,157	1.7%	65	23	88	955	1	123	458	39	ap2005

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

Affiliated Bishops

Michael Bosco Duraisamy † (Bishop: 28 Feb 1974 to 9 Jun 1999)
Henri-Aimé-Anatole Prunier, M.E.P. † (Bishop: 26 May 1930 to 20 Nov 1947)
Venmani S. Selvanather † (Priest: 26 Oct 1941; Bishop: 3 Mar 1949 to 17 Mar 1973)
Sebastianappan Singaroyan (Bishop: 5 Jul 2000 - )

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