Most Rev.Dr Arulselvam RayappanBishop of Salem
| Parent’s Name | T. Arulselvam & S. Kanikaimary |
| Born On | 18.11.1960 |
| Born At | Sathipattu, Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore |
| Priestly Ordination | May 20, 1986, for the Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore |
| Episcopal Consecration | August 4, 2021, Infant Jesus Cathedral, Salem |
More about the Bishop
His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Arulselvam Rayappan as Bishop of Salem. This provision was made public in Rome on Monday 31st May 2021.
Bp. Arulselvam Rayappan completed his studies in the following Institutions: 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). He was ordained priest on 20 May 1986 for the Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore.
He obtained a Masters in Canon Law from St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore (1990-1992) and Doctorate in Canon Law from Pontificia Università Urbaniana, Rome (1992-1994).
He served in the following 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). After his studies in Rome, since 1994, he was teaching Canon Law at St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore. He was then 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).
He served as the Executive Secretary of CCBI Commission for Canon Law and Legislative Texts (2010-2018). He was President of the Canon Law Society of Tamil Nadu for two terms and Secretary General of Canon Law Society of India for a term. He was President of the Canon Law Society of India for two terms (2013-2017).
The Diocese of Salem comprises of civil districts of Salem and Namakkal. In 1623 Southern Kongunadu, part of Salem District, under Madurai Nayakkars accepted Christianity, through Fr. Robert De Nobili, S.J. and his successors, the Portuguese Jesuits of the Madurai Mission. About 1654, the Italian Jesuits of the Mysore mission had a residence near Hosur.. In 1687, the Mysore Mission laboured in the entire area of the present diocese. Fr. De Cunha died in 1711 at Kapiganathi near Hosur.