Michel Olçomendy

Michel Olçomendy, M.E.P. (August 29, 1901 – July 4, 1977) was the first Archbishop of Singapore, installed on 18 December, 1972 until his retirement in 1976. Previously, he served as the Bishop of Malacca and Singapore.

Biography

Early years

Born in Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry, France, he ordained as a priest on the May 29, 1926 at the age of 24, and became a clergyman of the La Société des Missions Etrangères.

Bishop of Malacca

On January 21, 1947, Olçomendy was officially installed as Bishop of Malacca and Singapore at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, serving in the position until he was appointed Archbishop of Malacca on September 19, 1953, at the age of 52.

Archbishop of Malacca-Singapore

He took office as Metropolitan Archbishop of Malacca-Singapore on February 25, 1955, and as President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei in 1964. Olçomendy remained as President until 1969.

Olçomendy took on the new office as the Archbishop of Singapore on December 18, 1972, until retiring in 1976. Olçomendy died a year later on July 4, 1977.