The Jesuits were suppressed by the French government on November 18, 1764 but allowed to minister as Jesuits in their colonies.[1] In 1773 Pope Clement XIV declared a universal suppression of the Society of Jesus. As Jesuits, they could no longer continue their mission therefore the Jesuit Malabar or Carnatic mission in Pondicherry was officially handed over to the “Missions Estrangers de Paris” (Foreign missions of Paris) by King Louis XVI in March, 1776. Rome appointed Mgr. Peter Brigot MEP, bishop ofTabracca on 30th September 1776 as the Superior of the Malabar mission with the faculties of a Vicar Apostolic.
Meantime, the French governor requested the Sacred Congregation inRome to appoint one of the Capuchins to be Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry over the Europeans and Eurasians.[2] He asked this favour in order to curtail the influence of the bishop of Mylapore who was under the Padroado system of Portugal. The Cardinal of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide, Joseph Mary thus appointed Fr. Sebastian ofNevers a Capuchin from the province of Tours as the first Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry over the Europeans and Eurasians on 28th September 1776 in Rome. The CapuchinPrefecture was extended to all the French colonies in India. This double jurisdiction brought a lot of difficulties over in knowing the clear distinction between the Creoles, the Topassesand the Malabaris.[3] This problem existed until when this was handed over to the Holy Ghost Fathers in 1828. In 1827, the sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny came to Pondicherry to work among the French under the Capuchin Prefecture.
New Missions in the French Colonies
The relations between the MEP Bishop-Superior over the Natives and the Capuchin Prefect over the Europeans were cordial. They agreed to exchange their faculties in case of the grave sickness or death of one of them.[4] The French invited the French Capuchins in Pondicherry to be their spiritual shepherds in all their settlements in India. Thus The Capuchins were privileged to work in all the French colonies and the CapuchinPrefecture was extended where ever their missionaries had worked.
Karaikal
In 1737 the French acquired Karaikal(fhiuf;fhy;) a small territory 85 km from South of Pondicherry.[5] Monsieur Dumas the governor requested Fr. Dominic of Vallancethe superior of the Capuchin mission in Pondicherry to extend their ministry activities toKaraikal. He could send a Capuchin missionary only in 1740, when a batch of missionaries arrived from Savoie. This mission flourished well and became a great centre of missionary scope. The Capuchins were the in charge of the mission until it was handed over to the MEP Fathers in 1820
Machilipatnam
The Christians at Machilipatnam and Bimlipatnam were of Cosmopolitan origin. These Christians communities were the Natives, the Dutch, the French, the English and the mixed races. The Theatine Fathers from Goa were in charge of these people.[6]When they left by 1694, the Augustinians succeeded them. The French at Machilipatnamasked for a French priest. The Capuchins of Pondicherry responded to their call in 1750. Fr. Augustine of Poitiers, a Capuchin was appointed by the Bishop of Mylapore as parish priest of Machilipatnam the Capuchin Superior confirmed it on 6th July 1752. An Austrian Capuchin Father John from Machilipatnam had worked at Guntur in 1789 and another Capuchin missionary Benjamin had served at Vishakhapatnam in 1798. The Capuchin friars of Pondicherry worked in all these coastal areas of Andhra till the end of the 18th century.
Chandernagore
The French established a settlement in Chandernagore a small town inWest Bengal, 1690. The Capuchin Fathers of Tibet mission came to Chandernagore and built their first church dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto[7], later the Capuchins fromPondicherry took of this mission from 1706.[8] Since there were only European Catholics, the Capuchin Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry firmly believed that Chandernagore came under his jurisdiction.[9] The issue of jurisdiction was settled on 17th September 1793 by an agreement signed by Nicholas Champenois MEP Bishop-Superior of Pondicherry and Fr. Benjamin OFM.Cap the Vice Prefect Apostolic of Pondicherry that the mission ofChandernagore to be part of the Capuchin Prefecture.[10] The Capuchins remained in serving the faithful in Chandernagore till 1882.[11]
The Prefects Apostolic of Pondicherry Capuchin Mission[12]
1. Rev. Fr. Sebastian of Nevers OFM. Cap., (23/09/1776 – 26/11/1780)
2. Rev. Fr. Donatus of Aurelinensis OFM. Cap., (27/11/1780 – 10/09/1786)
3. Rev. Fr. Hilarius of Pictaviensis OFM.Cap., (11/09/1786 – 23/11/1788)
4. Rev. Fr. Damasus of Oleron OFM Cap., (24/11/1788 –
5. Rev. Fr. Benedictus of Monterotundo OFM Cap., (21/02/1792 –
A clear detail study on the Prefects Apostolic of Pondicherry is not available but this list of Prefects is the study of Fr. Clement of Terzorio from the General Archives of the Capuchin Order in Rome.
[1]. Here and the following. Ibid, 198.
[2] Here and the following, Clemente de Terzorio, MHMOMC, Isola Del Liri: Soc.Tip, A Macioce and Pisanie, 1926, 23.
[3] Collectiona Franciscana, 273.
[4] Joseph Thekkedath, 199.
[5] Here and the following, Collectiona Franciscana, 275.
[6] Sampathkumar (trans.), History of Pondicherry mission-an out line, Chennai: University of Madras, 2000, 8.
[7] Joseph Thekkedath, 199.
[8] Collectiona Franciscana, 275.
[9] Clemens a Terzorio, 148f.
[10] Joseph Thekkedath, 199.
[11] Here and the following, Lucius, Capuchin Studies, “The Capuchins in India,” vol., iv, no., 4, Quilon: Assisi Press, December 1959, 23.
[12] Madanakalyani (trans.,), Puducherry-a City of Trade (GJr;Nrhp xU tzpfj;js Chpd; tuyhW), Puducherry: FrenchCollege, 1998, 60.
[13] Thomas Pothacamury, 60.
[14] Collectiona Franciscana, 276.
[15] Thomas Pothacamury, 60
[16] Peter Celestine, 20.
[17] Here and the following, Norbert Wolf, 18.
[18] Here and the following, Hambye, History of Christianity in India, vol., iii, Bangalore: Church History Association of India, Theological Publications in India, 1982, 170f.
[19] Joseph Thekkedath, 199f.
[20] Hambye, 172ff.
[21] Gabriel 73.
[22] Ibid, footnote, 73.
[23] Hambye, footnote, 173.
- Fr. A. Thainis, OFM. Cap.,
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