The French or Catalan Dominican missionary Jordanus Catalani was the first European to start conversion in India. He arrived in Surat in 1320. After his ministry in Gujarat, he reached Quilon in 1323. He not only revived Christianity but also brought thousands to the Christian fold. He brought a message of good will from the Pope to the local rulers. In 1329 Pope John XXII, from the Holy See then in Avignon (France), erected Quilon as the "first Diocese in the whole of Indies" as suffragan to the Archdiocese of Sultany in Persia through the decree '"Romanus Pontifex"' dated 9 August 1329. By a separate bull, that reads "Venerabili Fratri Jordano", the same Pope, on 21 August 1329 appointed the French or Catalan Dominican friar "Jordanus Catalani" as the first Bishop of Quilon. As the first bishop in India, Jordanus was also entrusted with the spiritual nourishment of the Christian community in Calicut, Mangalore, Thane and Broach (north of Thane).