Charles Lavigne

Bishop Charles Lavigne, S.J. (born On January 6, 1840 at Marvejols,France and died on July 11, 1913) was a Roman Catholic bishop in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the first bishop of Kottayam including Knanaya Catholics. He later served as the Bishop of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka from 1898 - 1913.

Louis Charles Lavigne was born on January 6, 1840 at Marvejols in France. After his primary education at the school of Christian Brothers and higher education at a Jesuit college, he joined seminary for priestly formation. His priestly ordination was on December 17, 1864. Then he was professor at a diocesan Minor Seminary for two years.His religious profession in the Jesuit Society was on December 27, 1866. Then he served for five years in a minor seminary as prefect of students and professor. At the same time he also worked as science teacher in a college.

Since Jesuits were expelled from France in 1880, he moved to Spain and worked as Science Professor. He was then appointed as assistant to the secretary of Jesuits and so moved to Rome. After his term of service in Rome he moved to France. Within few months he was appointed as Vicar Apostolic of Kottayam, in Kerala state, India. He was ordained bishop on November 13, 1887.