His Holiness Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Antony Anandarayar (75) from the pastoral governance of Pondicherry-Cuddalore Archdiocese in south India. This ecclesiastical provision was made public on Wednesday, 27 January, 2021 at 4.30pm. Most Rev. Peter Abir Antonysamy, Bishop of Sultanpet is appointed as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore.
Archbishop Antony Anandarayar was born on 18 July 1945 at in Varadarajanpet in Kumbakonam diocese. He joined St. Agnes’ Seminary, Cuddalore and ordained Priest on 21 December 1971. He did his Philosophical and Theological studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. Before appointing as the Bishop of Ootacamund, he served at St. Joseph’s Boarding, Cuddalore from 1972-1976 as the Assistant. Between 1981-1996 he held various positions 1. Professor, 2. Vice-Rector and 3. Rector of St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. He was also the Chairman for the CCBI Commission for Canon Law and other Legislative Texts from 2006 to 2015.
He was appointed as the Bishop of Ootacamund diocese on 12 January 1997 and ordained Bishop on 29 January 1997. He was appointed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore on 10 June, 2004. He is a priest for 50 years and a Bishop for 24 years.