Archbishop Malayappan Chinnappa, SDB, was born on July 23, 1937, in Ayaundur in Pondicherry. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 16, 1972, and was appointed Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore on April 1, 2005. His episcopal ordination was on May 22, 2005. Archbishop Chinnappa was Bishop of Vellore since 1993 before his episcopal ordination for Madras-Mylapore. He is now chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST).
Address: Archbishop's House, 21, Santhome High Road, Santhome, Chennai - 600 004, Tamil Nadu, India. Phone: (91) 44-24940833; 24941102 Email: archmsml@vsnl.com
Previous Ordinaries of Madras-Mylapore Archbishop Arul Das James (1994-2004) Archbishop Casimir Gnanadickam, SJ (1987- 1993) Archbishop R. Arulappa (1966-1987) Archbishop Louis Mathias, SDB (1952-1965)
Previous Ordinaries of Madras Bishop Louis Mathias, SDB (1935-1952) Dom Eugene Mederlet (1928-1935) Dom John Aelen (1912-1928) Dom Joseph Colgan (1882-1911) Dom Stephen Fennelly (1868-1880) Dom John Fennelly (1841-1868) Dom Patrick Joseph Carew (1838-1841) Dom Daniel O' Connor, OSA (1834-1840) Dom Pedro de Alcantra, OCD (1833) Dom John Bede Polding, OSB (1832)
Previous Ordinaries of Mylapore Dom Manuel de Medeiros Guerreiro (1937-1951) Dom Carlos de Sa Fragoso (1933-1937) Dom Antonio Maria Teixeira (1929-1933) Dom Theotonio Emmanuel Ribeiro Vieira de Castro (1899-1929) Dom Antonio de souza Barroso (1897-1899) Dom Jose Henrique Reed de Silva (1887-1897) Bishops Elect, Episcopal Governors or Vicars General (1828-1886) Dom Estevo de Jesus Maria, OM (1826-1828) Bishops Elect, Episcopal Governors or Vicars General (1811-1826) Dom Joaqim de Menez Athaide, OSA (1805-1811) Dom Manoel de Jesus Maria Jose, OSA (1788-1800) Dom Antonia da Assumpcao, OSA (1780-1788) Dom Bernardo de S Caetano, OSA (1755-1780) Dom Theodardo de Santa Maria, OSA (1750-1755) Dom Antonio de Incarnacao, OSA (1745-1750) Dom Jose Pinheiro, SJ (1725-1745) Dom Eugenio Trigueiros (1723-1725) Dom Manoel Sanchez Golao (1715-1723) Dom Francisco Laynes, SJ (1710-1715) Dom Gaspar Alfonso Alvares SJ (1693-1710) Bishops Elect, Episcopal Governors or Vicars General (1637-1693) Dom Luiz Paulo da Estrella, OM (1634-1637) Dom Luiz de Brito Menezes, OSA (1615-1634) Dom Sebastio de S Pedro, OSA (1606-1615)
B. Other Archdiocesan Officials
Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General: Bishop Lawrence Pius Dorairaj, DD, was born on June 14, 1954, in Santhome in Madras. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 28, 1981, and appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Madras-Mylapore on Dec. 28, 1998. His episcopal ordination was on Feb. 21, 1999. Bishop Doairaj was a professor at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary before he became the archdiocesan prelate. Address: Archbishop's House, 21, Santhome High Road, Santhome, Chennai - 600 004, Tamil Nadu, India Phone: (91) 44-24940833/24941102 Email: archmsml@vsnl.com
Secretary: Father R. Paul Raj
Chancellor: Father Peter Thumma Email: peterthumma@madras-mylapore.org
Archdiocesan College of Consultors:
Bishop Lawrence Pius Dorairaj - Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General
Father Peter Thumma - Chancellor
Father A. Divianathan - Financial Administrator
Father A . John Andrew- Administrator, Properties
Father G. Nambikkainathan - Director, Pastoral Center
Father M. Antoni Swamy - Superintendent of Roman Catholic Schools
Father Prasad Ignatius - Rector, Major Seminary
Father Arul Devadoss - Director, MSSS
Father Lawrence Raj - Parish Priest, Santhome
Father Samuel Savio - Professor, Major Seminary
Father P.K. Mathew - Parish Priest, Kamaraj Nagar
Father B. Jeyaraj, SJ - Rector, Loyola College
Statistics
A. Catholic Population
As of 2004, Madras-Mylapore Archdiocese had 345,312 Catholics, representing 4.92 percent of the 7,012,531people in the territory. The archdiocese had 101 parishes and 98 mission stations. There were 100 fulltime Church workers, 45 catechists and 708 catechumens. The number of baptisms in a year is about 5,100. Other religions in the archdiocese include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism and Sikhism.
People in the Archdiocese
Baptized Catholics: 345,312, or 4.92%
Hindus: 6,049,794, or 86.27%
Muslims: 478,614, or 6.82%
Jains: 49,539, or 0.7%
Sikhs: 3,317, or 0.05%
Buddhists: 2,377, or 0.03%
Others: 1.21%
B. Archdiocesan and Religious Priests
Diocesan priests: 140 Religious priests: 328
C. Religious Brothers, Sisters
Religious Brothers: 47 Religious Sisters: 2,375
D. Seminaries, Houses of Formation
Minor seminary: Infant Jesus Junior Seminary, 1/428, Kanakamachatiram, Thiruthani Road, Thiruvallore District - 631 204, Tamil Nadu
No. of seminarians: 39 Major seminary: Sacred Heart Seminary, Karayanchavadi, Poonamallee, Chennai - 600 056
No. of seminarians: 28 Houses of Formation: 28
No. of people: 482
E. Deaneries in the Archdiocese include:
Deanery of St Thomas, the Apostle
Deanery of St John the Baptist
Deanery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Deanery of Our Lady of Lourdes
Deanery of St Jude
Deanery of St John Mary Vianney
Deanery of St Paul
Deanery of St Anthony
Deanery of St Theresa of Child Jesus
Deanery of St Francis Xavier
F. There are 101 parishes and 98 mission stations in the archdiocese.
Archdiocesan Activities and Organizations
A. Major Archdiocesan Commissions and Organizations
Basic Christian Communities
Bible Commission
Catechetical Commission
Evangelization Commission
Family Commission
Health Commission
Justice, Peace & Development Commission
Labor Commission
Laity Centre
Laity Commission
Liturgy Commission
SC/ST/BC Commission
Social Communication
Vocation Commission
Women Commission
Youth Commission
B. Catholic Educational Institutions
Schools
Students
Pre-primary School
54
13,482
Primary School
56
55,084
Secondary School
103
87,564
Post-secondary School
123
5,138
C. Catholic Social Welfare
Hospitals, clinics and dispensaries: 60
Homes for the elderly: 12
Homes for the disabled: 14
AIDS hospices: 1
Orphanages: 43
Youth centers: 6
Youth hostels: 31
Socio-economic centers, training centers: 120
Centers for family apostolate: 2
D. Social Communications
Diocesan Communication Center
In Charge: Father Ignatius
Pastoral Centre, 25 Rosary Church Road, Santhome, Chennai - 600 004
- Salesian Institute of Graphic Arts, 18 Landons Rd, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 0010
Phone (91) 44-2641-1588, 2641-3800
Fax: (91) 44-2641-1588, 2641-3800
- St Louis Institute of Printing Tech., Adyar, Chennai - 20
Phone: (91) 44-2491-7556
New Leader, a diocesan English fortnightly
Niravazhvu (Fullness of life), a diocesan monthly magazine in Tamil
E. Other Church Organizations and Associations
Associations:
Altar Servers' Association
Father Jude B Pragasam, Vocation Promoter
25 Rosary Church Road, Santhome, Chennai - 600 004. Phone: (91) 44-2787-4220
Apostolate in the Modern World (AIM)
Irudayaraj (in charge), No.1, Malayappan Street, R A Puram, Chennai - 600 028.
Association of Salesian Co-operators
C.R. Rajarathinam, 4, Shanthi Nagar, Madhavaram High Road, Perambur, Chennai - 600 011. Phone: (91) 44-2537-2260
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
W.R. Baburaj, President, 12/2, N No.15/2, Jaya Apartments, Jayaram Avenue, Shastri Nagar, Chennai - 600 020. Phone: (91) 44-2491-1945
Fellowship of Catholic Professionals
Cynthia Alexander, President. No.1, Umayal Road, Kilpauk, Chennai 600 010. Phone: (91) 44-2644-0002
Franciscan III Order
V.A. Chandrasekar, President, 6, Bishop Wallers Avenue, Eden Dale - 2C, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. Phone: (91) 44-2499-2658
Lay Apostolate Divine Word Society
Evan S. Santhanaraj, Logos P No. 1141, 16th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai - 600 083. Phone: (91) 44-2489-1144
Legion of Mary
A. Xavier, Vice President, Catholic Centre, 64 Armenian Street, Chennai - 600 001. Phone: (91) 44-2538-5562
Luke's Catholic Medical Guild
Dr. D. Vimala Mary, President, No.6, Nimmo Road, Santhome, Chennai - 600 004. Phone: (91) 44-2494-2265.
Nurses Guild of Madras
Sister Dominic SD, SD Convent, No.35, Madhavaram High Road (North), Perambur, Chennai - 600 011. Phone: (91) 44-2537-7937
Seafarers' Welfare Association
Rev Fr B Antony, Annai Velankanni Shrine, Elliots Beach Road, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600 090. Mobile: (91) 9841-176-623
St Vincent de Paul
M.J. Martin Kennedy, President, Madras Central Council, 14, Robinson Park Colony, Washermanpet, Chennai - 600 021. Phone: (91) 44-2590-1140
Movements:
Archdiocesan Catholic Association of Chennai
F.A. Nathan, President, 15 & 16, Judie Flats, 13, Rosary Church Road, Santhome, Chennai - 600 004. Mobile: (91) 9840-231-914
Christian Worker's Movement (CWM)
A.V Johnson, President, 14/27A, Little Mount, Kannadasan Nagar, Ramapuram, Chennai - 600 089. Mobile: (91) 9884-273-178
Kolping Movement
Father Arul Devadoss, Kolping Tower - II Floor, 329 (Old No.128) TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018. Phone: (91) 44-2499-6926, Fax: 2498-7690. Email: mdssss@eth.net
Laity Council
V J William Kumar, President, 25, 8th Street Padi Pudu Nagar, Anna Nagar West, Chennai - 600 101. Mobile: (91) 9841243055
T N Secretariat Catholic Staff Fellowship
J. Irudaya Raj, 3 Raja Joseph Colony, Dharga Road, Pallavaram, Chennai - 600 043. Phone: (91) 44-2240-3748
Altar of Santhome Basilica
Renovated tomb of St Thomas
Religious Congregations, Societies and Institutes
A. Religious Institutes of Men
Brothers of St. Patrick ~ FSP
Carmelites of Mary Immaculate ~ CMI
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament ~ SSS
Congregation of the Missions (Vincentians)
Congregation of the most holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) ~ CSsR
Heralds of Good News ~ HGN
Holy Cross Brothers of Sacred Heart ~ CSC
Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God ~ OH
Missionaries of Mary immaculate ~ MMI
Missionaries of St Francis De Sales ~ MSFS
Missionary Brothers of Charity ~ MC
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate ~ OMI
Monfort Brothers of St. Gabriel ~ SG
Oblates of Mary Immaculate ~ OMI
Order of Fiars Minor (Franciscans) ~ OFM
Order of Friars Minor (Capuchins) ~ OFM Cap
Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions ~ PIME
Salesians of Don Bosco ~ SDB
Servants of Charity (Guanellian) ~ SDC
Society of Eugene De Mazenod ~ SDM
Society of Jesus ~ SJ
Society of Pillar ~ SFX
Society of St. Paul ~ SSP
Sons of Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) ~ CMF
Vincentians Congregation ~ VC
B. Religious Institutes of Women
Bethlemite Sisters ~ BS
Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa ~ CSST
Catechists Sisters of St. Ann ~ CSA
Congregation of Teresian Carmelites ~ CTC
Congregation of the Immaculate Conception ~ CIC
Congregation of the Sisters of St.Anne, Trichy ~ SAT
Daughters of Mary help of Christians ~ FMA
Daughters of the Heart of Mary ~ DHM
Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception ~ FSHIC
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary ~ FMM
Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Sacred Heart ~ FMSH
Franciscan Servants of Mary ~ FSM
Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Bon Secours ~ FBS
Franciscan Sisters of St Aloysius Gonzaga ~ FSAG
Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph ~ FSJ
Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ FIHM
Franciscan Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ FSPM
Institute of the Foreign Mission Sister ~ ISME
Little Brethren of Mary ~ LBM
Little Sisters of the Poor ~ PSDP
MEA -SADAN ~ SCCG
Medical Mission Sisters ~ SCMM
Missionaries of Charity ~ MC
Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate ~ MSI
Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ ICM
Mothers of Sorrows (Servite) ~ OSM
Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd ~ RGS
Pontifical Institute for Foreign Mission ~ PIFM
Rosarian Sisters ~ CR
Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate ~ SMMI
Seva Missionary Sisters ~ SMSM
Sister Disciples of the Divine Master ~ PDDM
Sisters of Charity of St. Anne
Sisters of Joseph of Lyons ~ SJL
Sisters of Maria Auxilium ~ SMA
Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross ~ SCSC
Sisters of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ MSC
Sisters of St Ann of Providence ~ SAP
Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo ~ SCB
Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy ~ SJA
Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny ~ SJC
Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition ~ SJA
Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod ~ SCC
Sisters of the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ PBVM
Society of Jesus Mary Joseph ~ JMJ
Society of Sisters of St. Ann, Luzern ~ SAS
Society of St. Anne, Chennai ~ SSA
Secular Institutes
Ancillae Secular Institute
Asha Nivas Secular Institute
Caritas Charity Secular Institute
Pious Unions
An Auxiliary of the Apostolate (Lay Apostolate)
Daughters of St. Joseph's ~ DSJ
Sisters of Maria Auxiliatrix ~ SMA
Sisters of Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ SSHJ
Sisters of Volunteers for Christ ~ SVC
The Society of Daughters of Mary Immaculate & Collaborators ~ DMI
Syrian Rite
Congregation of Holy Family ~ CHF
Congregation of Mother of Carmel ~ CMC
Congregation of Sisters of Charity ~ CSC
Franciscan Clarist Congregation ~ FCC
Sacred Heart Congregation ~ SH
Sisters of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ~ SABS
Sisters of the Destitute ~ SD
Sisters of the Imitation of Christ (Bethany Sisters) ~ SIC
General Characteristics of the Archdiocese
The old diocese of Mylapore was erected by Pope Paul V on Jan. 9, 1606. The Vicariate Apostolic of Madras was created on July 4, 1832, and confirmed on April 25, 1834. This Vicariate Apostolic was raised to an Archepiscopal See on Sept. 1, 1886. The Diocese of Mylapore from the very beginning was under the Portuguese Padroado and in 1950 passed over to the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.
By the Apostolic Constitution Ex- Primaevae Ecclesiae of Jan. 13, 1952, a portion of the Archdiocese of Madras and Diocese of Mylapore were dismembered. From the western portion of the Archdiocese of Madras, the Diocese of Vellore was created. The extreme southern portion of the Diocese of Mylapore was made the Diocese of Thanjavur. From the remaining portions, a new archdiocese was created on Nov. 14, 1952, to be known as the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore.
The archdiocesan territory covers a land area of 3,160 square kilometers and includes the city of Chennai (formerly called Madras) and the civil district of Thiruvallur. The area has a population of 7,098,401, according to the government census in 2001.
The per capita income in the archdiocesan territory is 27,050 rupees (US$611) per annum. The territory has petrochemical, automobile, dairy, fishing, garment manufacturing, agriculture, hotel and information technology industries. Chennai city has a major port facility.
Ethnic groups in the territory include Anglo-Indians, Gujarathis, Malayalees, Marwaris, Tamils and Telugus. Most of the people speak Tamil but there is a considerable number of people who speak English, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. The local literacy rate is 81.14 percent.
The old diocese of Mylapore was erected by Pope Paul V on Jan. 9, 1606. The Vicariate Apostolic of Madras was created on July 4, 1832, and confirmed on April 25, 1834. This Vicariate Apostolic was raised to an Archepiscopal See on Sept. 1, 1886. The Diocese of Mylapore from the very beginning was under the Portuguese Padroado and in 1950 passed over to the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.