Francis Tiburtius Roche


Francis Tiburtius Roche was the first bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin.

Early life

Bishop Francis Tiburtius Roche was born in Punnaikayal on 14 April 1879. He joined the Society of Jesus and was ordained a priest on 2 October 1910. When the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin was erected on 12 June 1923, he was appointed the first bishop of the diocese on the same day and was consecrated bishop on 23 September 1923.

Significance

He was the first native Indian bishop of Latin Rite and he was entrusted with the first Indian catholic diocese of Latin rite, Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin with native priests. He was succeeded by Bishop Thomas Fernando and died on 17 December 1955.