By Matters India Reporter
Pondicherry: Archbishop Emeritus Antony Anandarayar of Pondicherry-Cuddalore died of Covid-19 on May 4. He was 75.
The death occurred at 9:30 pm at St. Thomas Hospital, Chennai, where he was admitted for Covid treatment. His health condition deteriorated in the morning as the oxygen saturation level became low.
Funeral will be held at 4 pm on May 5 at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Pondicherry.
Archbishop Anandarayar was born on July 18, 1945, at in Varadarajanpet in Kumbakonam diocese. He joined St. Agnes’ Minor Seminary, Cuddalore for priestly studies and did his Philosophical and Theological studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore.
He was ordained priest December 21, 1971. Before his appointment as the Bishop of Ootacamund, he served at St. Joseph’s Boarding, Cuddalore during 1972-1976 as the assistant. He held various positions in St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore as the professor, vice rector and rector during the period 1981-1996.
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 January 12, 1997. He was appointed as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore on June 10, 2004. His request for resignation from the active episcopal ministry was accepted by Pope Francis on January 27 this year. He is a priest for 50 years and a Bishop for 24 years.
Respectful farewell to Archbishop Emeritus Antony Anandarayar of Pondicherry-Cuddalore. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon the departed soul.