The Diocese of Ootacamund celebrated its Golden Jubilee in the year 2005. The Diocese hats off to the following former Prelates and Administrators of the diocese who worked strenuously for the growth of the diocese
Bishop Antony Padiyara - "Architect of the Diocese"
Bishop Antony Padiyara was nominated the first Bishop of the new diocese. He was a great visionary who directed the destinies of the Diocese for 15 years. He established 17 new parishes, built 28 new churches and chapels and invited new religious congregations to help in the work of consolidation and extension. He remains the architect of the Diocese of Ootacamund who succeeded in laying solid foundations for the future. On June 13th 1970, he was appointed Archbishop of Changanacherry in Kerala. He left Ootacamund on 14th August 1970.
Bishop Packiam Arokiaswamy
The next Bishop was Bishop Packiam Arokiaswamy from the neighbouring Diocese of Coimbatore. He was nominated on February 6th 1971, and was ordained Bishop on April 28th, 1971. His tenure was very short and within a brief span of hardly ten months he was promoted as Archbishop of Bangalore on 10th February 1972.
Msgr S. Irudayaraj & Rev. Fr. Roland Lefevre
Msgr S. Irudayaraj one of the priests of the diocese was twice elected as Vicar Capitular during the interim periods, the first following Archbishop Padiyara’s leaving the diocese and the second one that elapsed between Archbishop Arokiaswamy’s transfer to Bangalore and his own nomination on May 17th, 1973 as the first Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Palayamkottai, which was previously a part of the Archdiocese of Madurai. Within a few days of the nomination of Msgr S. Irudayaraj, Rev. Fr. Roland Lefevre MEP was elected as the Vicar Capitular and he held this office till February 13th, 1974.
Bishop Aruldas James - "Son of the Soil"
On December 21st 1973, the announcement of the nomination of Msgr Aruldas James, who was at that time Rector of St. Peter’s Seminary, Bangalore, as the Bishop of Ootacamund was a moment of joy and jubilation. He took charge of the diocese on 13th February 1974 and was consecrated as the Bishop of Ootacamund on 20th February 1974. New life and enthusiasm were generated after the arrival of Bishop Aruldas James. His hard work and strenuous efforts saw the diocese making tremendous progress in all levels as far as the spiritual, social, educational and developmental affairs in the diocese are concerned. He took special interest and practical concern in the spiritual and material well being of the souls entrusted to his care. After leading the diocese for more than 20 years, like his predecessors he too was promoted as Archbishop of Madras- Mylapore on 14th May 1994. He assumed charge of his new assignment of 31st July 1994.
Msgr P. Stanislaus
From July 31st 1994 until the nomination of the new bishop in January 1997 Msgr. Stanislaus guided the destinies of the diocese.
Bishop Antony Anandarayar- "Father of the Poor"
It took more than two and a half years to hear the good news of the appointment of Rt. Rev. Dr. Antony Anandarayar as the Bishop of Ootacamund on 12th January 1997. His Eminence Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy consecrated him on 29th January 1997 amidst great pomp and rejoicing manifested by the large attendance of Bishops, priests, religious and people from all walks of life. A person endowed with innumerable talents, high caliber, and great administrative capabilities,his zeal and wisdom, his devotedness and kindness, his piety and efficiency, his simplicity and humility, his character and competence make him the good shepherd immensely loved and deeply esteemed by his priests and people. After assuming the responsibility of shepherding the diocese, the diocese of Ootacamund is going forward and prospering under his able administration and guidance. Magnificent churches, beautiful chapels in substations, and presbyteries have been constructed. Bishop Antony Anandarayar has created a new parish and has been responsible for inviting a new religious congregation in the diocese to labour for the poor and oppressed in Chimtahalli a remote parish in the diocese. He is also striving to make parishes self-sufficient and has introduced the slab system wherein parishes according to their income have the obligation to contribute a certain percentage to the diocese annually. The diocese is divided into five vicariates, each with a Vicar Forane for better co-ordination and administration. His love for the poor and downtrodden is exhibited in his visit to 1500 families in the slums. His primary concern has been providing education to the poor children that they may have a better future. In this venture he has upgraded St. Francis Xavier’s High School, Kodiveri into a Higher Secondary School and R.C. Primary School, in Gundri into a middle school. Thousands of poor children look to him as a loving father for the help he has offered for their betterment and improvement. He educates many children at various levels in schools and colleges. His motto “To serve in faith and love” has become an attainable reality by his extension of maximum help to the poor and downtrodden. After a successful and satisfying Episcopal ministry for 7.5 years, like his predecessors he was also promoted as Archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore on 10th June 2004. He assumed charge of his new assignment on 5th July 2004.
Msgr A. Anthony Swamy
On 7th July 2004 the Diocesan College of Consultors elected Very Rev. Msgr. A. Anthony Swamy as the Administrator of the Diocese until the Vacant See is filled. The diocese celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 6th May 2005 under his guidance.
