Diocese of Kandy

Historical Details

• Vicariate Apostolic of Kandy
  • Latin Name: Kandiensis
  • Erected: 20 April 1883
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Sri Lanka

Past and Present Ordinaries

• Clemente Pagnani, O.S.B. † (20 Apr 1883 Appointed - 27 Jun 1911 Died)
• Bede Beckmeyer, O.S.B. † (19 Apr 1912 Appointed - 22 May 1935 Died)
• Bernardo Regno, O.S.B. † (27 Jan 1936 Appointed - 24 Sep 1958 Resigned)
• Leo Nanayakkara, O.S.B. † (2 Jul 1959 Appointed - 18 Dec 1972 Appointed, Bishop of Badulla)
• Appasinghe Paul Perera † (17 May 1973 Appointed - 17 Mar 1983 Retired)
• Joseph Vianney Fernando (17 Mar 1983 Appointed - 9 Oct 2021 Retired)
• Warnakulasurya Wadumestrige Devasritha Valence Mendis (9 Oct 2021 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Kandy
1950	47,723	1,473,761	3.2%	11	37	48	994		7	188	12	ap1951
1970	65,000	2,355,620	2.8%	24	71	95	684		120	276	21	ap1971
1980	55,818	2,218,000	2.5%	44	44	88	634		62	208	17	ap1981
1990	62,615	2,257,000	2.8%	22	17	39	1,605	1	88	196	20	ap1991
1999	79,479	2,005,956	4.0%	30	14	44	1,806		116	227	22	ap2000
2000	80,501	2,005,956	4.0%	33	14	47	1,712	1	122	227	22	ap2001
2001	83,313	2,005,956	4.2%	31	14	45	1,851		136	220	22	ap2002
2002	85,359	2,008,002	4.3%	32	49	81	1,053		169	201	22	ap2003
2003	85,359	2,008,002	4.3%	33	46	79	1,080		154	219	22	ap2004
2004	75,435	2,414,973	3.1%	36	54	90	838		182	216	23	ap2005
2006	78,902	2,535,969	3.1%	39	58	97	813	1	165	210	25	ap2007
2011	84,830	2,690,430	3.2%	38	40	78	1,087		176	181	27	ap2012
2013	81,243	2,558,716	3.2%	35	15	50	1,624		161	183	27	ap2014
2016	80,764	2,665,000	3.0%	39	10	49	1,648		187	189	27	ap2017
2019	81,470	2,752,940	3.0%	48	9	57	1,429		225	190	29	ap2020
2021	85,265	2,910,630	2.9%	56	10	66	1,291		183	195	29	ap2022

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Joseph Vianney Fernando (Priest: 21 Dec 1966; Bishop: 17 Mar 1983 to 9 Oct 2021)
• Ivan Tilak Jayasundera (Priest: 3 Aug 1985)
• Warnakulasurya Wadumestrige Devasritha Valence Mendis (Bishop: 9 Oct 2021 - )

  ---

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Bede Beckmeyer, O.S.B. † (Bishop: 19 Apr 1912 to 22 May 1935)
• Leo Nanayakkara, O.S.B. † (Bishop: 2 Jul 1959 to 18 Dec 1972)
• Clemente Pagnani, O.S.B. † (Vicar Apostolic: 20 Apr 1883; Bishop: 25 Nov 1886 to 27 Jun 1911)
• Appasinghe Paul Perera † (Priest: 24 Aug 1939; Bishop: 17 May 1973 to 17 Mar 1983)
• Bernardo Regno, O.S.B. † (Bishop: 27 Jan 1936 to 24 Sep 1958)