Apostolic Prefecture of French Colonies in India

The Apostolic Prefecture of French Colonies in India (sometimes confusingly called 'of Pondicherry') was an Latin Church pre-diocesan jurisdiction for Catholic Church missions in the colonial enclaves constituting French India.

History
In 1777 it was established as Apostolic Prefecture of the French Colonies in India, not entitled to a titular bishop, without a direct predecessor.

On 1886.09.01 it was suppressed, its territory being reassigned to the previously co-existent Archdiocese of Pondicherry (now Metropolitan Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore).

Ordinaries
(all missionary priests from Europe, notably from Latin Church congregations)


 * Apostolic Prefects of the French Colonies in India
 * Sebastien de Nevers, OFMCap (born France, as probably most of his successors) (1776.09.28 – 1980.11.27)
 * Donatus Aurelinensis, OFMCap (1780.11.27 – 1786.09.11)
 * Hilarius Pictaviensis, OFMCap (1786.09.11 – 1788.11.24)
 * Damasus d’Oleron, OFMCap (1788.11.24 – ?)
 * Benedictus di Monterotundo, OFMCap (1792.02.21 – ?)
 * Pierre-Jean-Norbert Calmels, (1828.06.14 – 1859)
 * Pierre Brunie (1859 – ?)

Source and external links

 * Adrien Launay, Histoire des Missions de l'Inde. Pondicherry, Maissour, Coimbatour, 5 volumes, Paris 1898
 * GCatholic.org