Most Rev. Dr. Arulselvam Rayappan

 
His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Arulselvam Rayappan, of the Clergy of Pondicherry-Cuddalore, as Bishop of Salem. This provision was made public in Rome on Monday 31st May 2021. The Episcopal Consecration took place on August 4, 2021 at Infant Jesus Cathedral, Salem.

Bishop Rayappan was born on November 18, 1960 in Sathipattu, in the Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore.

He was ordained on 20 May 1986 for the Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore

Father’s Name: Arulselvam

Mother’s Name: Kanikkaimary

Educational Qualifications
– St. Agnes Minor Seminary and St. Joseph’s Hr. Sec. School, Cuddalore (1974-1978)

– Philosophy at Christ Hall Seminary, Madurai (1978-1981)

– Theology at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore (1982-1986)

– Masters in Canon Law from St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore (1990-1992)

– Doctorate in Canon Law from Pontificia Università Urbaniana, Rome (1992-1994)

Pastoral Ministries
– Vice-Rector, St. Agnes Minor Seminary, Cuddalore (1986-1988)

– Asst. Parish Priest at Viriyur and Karaikal (1988-1989)

– Parish Priest at Kurumbagaram (1989-1990)

– Since 1994, teaching Canon Law at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore

– Director of the Centre for Canon Law Studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore (1996-2001)

– Vice-Rector, St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore (200-2006)

– President, St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore (2010-2017)

– Executive Secretary of CCBI Commission for Canon Law and Legislative Texts (2010-2018)

– President of the Canon Law Society of Tamil Nadu and Secretary General of Canon Law Society of India

– President of the Canon Law Society of India (2013-2017)