Mgr. Pierre Brigot

(1776-1791)

The most important aim of the MEP – namely the formation of the local clergy – was not lost sight of by Mgr.Brigot. He wanted to send some seminarians to the seminary already in 1777. But since the College General of the MEP was having students of Annamese and Chinese origin, the caste ridden Indian students did not want to live with those students, whom they considered as untouchables. Taking into account the Indian mentality, Mgr.Brigot decided to start his own seminary. In 1778, he entrusted this work to Fr.Busson with a small house at Oulgaret as a seminary.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Thirty-six years a Bishop and that at a time extremely rough and full of difficulties and trials, Mgr.Brigot had the honour and the merit of presiding over the birth of Pondicherry Mission and of laying down firm foundations for the future generations to build and grow to the eternal glory of God.
The construction of the Cathedral, started by the Jesuits in 1770 on the foundation of the church of 1736, was completed only in 1791. Mgr.Champenois dedicated it on the 07th November 1791 under the same title of “Immaculate Conception”.