Ambrose Rayappan

Ambrose Rayappan (25 February 1901 – 24 November 1999) was the tenth and the first indigenous Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore. He was born at Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu. He was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Coimbatore on 16 December 1923. He participated in the Second Vatican council as a Council Father.

On 8 January 1953 he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Pondicherry and Cuddalore, and was consecrated on 25 March 1953 by Auguste-Siméon Colas. He was appointed as coadjutor of the same archdiocese on 7 August 1953. When Mgr. Colas resigned, he succeeded him on 28 November 1955. He resigned his post on 17 March 1973. He was succeeded by Venmani S. Selvanather.