Apostolic Administrator

The Holy Father His Holiness Pope Leo XIV appointed His Grace Most Rev Dr. Antonysamy Savarimuthu, currently the Archbishop of Madurai, as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dindigul, following the retirement of His Excellency Most Rev P. Thomas Paulsamy on 3 August 2026.

Born on December 8, 1960, in Vadakku Vandanam, a village in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, Archbishop Antonysamy Savarimuthu completed his early schooling in his native region. He entered St. Peter’s Minor Seminary in Madurai to begin his priestly formation, and later pursued his philosophical and theological studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Sociology, and Philosophy from the University of Bangalore, and a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Madurai. He has published numerous academic and theological articles in both national and international journals, reflecting his deep engagement with Church thought and scholarship.

Ordained to the priesthood on April 26, 1987, for the Diocese of Palayamkottai, Fr. Savarimuthu initially served as Secretary to the Bishop of Palayamkottai from 1987 to 1989. He then became a Professor at St. Peter’s Minor Seminary in Madurai from 1989 to 1992. In 1992, he was sent to France for higher studies in Canon Law, where he spent nearly a decade advancing his ecclesiastical education.

From 1992 to 1994, he completed a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Institut Catholique de Paris, followed by a DEA in Canon Law at the University of Paris XI from 1994 to 1996. Between 1996 and 1997, he undertook the Erasmus Gratianus program conducted by the International Canon Law Society of the European Union. From 1997 to 2000, he completed his Doctorate in Canon Law jointly from the Institut Catholique de Paris and the University of Paris XI.

Upon returning to India in late 2000, he took up pastoral and formational responsibilities. From October to November 2000, he served as Vocation Promoter and Rector of the Diocesan Petit Seminary in Palayamkottai, and from December 2000 to May 2004, as Rector of Christ Hall Major Seminary in Karumathur, Madurai.

Between 2001 and 2003, he served as Defender of the Bond, and from 2003 to 2008, he was appointed Judicial Vicar of the diocese. From 2004 to 2011, he held the significant position of Vicar General of the Diocese of Palayamkottai. During this time, he also served as Parish Priest of Infant Jesus Shrine, Shanthinagar from 2004 to 2005, and later at St. Jude’s Church, Maharajanagar from 2007 to 2009. Between 2009 and 2011, he once again took on the role of Vocation Promoter and Rector of the Diocesan Petit Seminary.

Academically, he contributed to the wider Church as a Visiting Professor at the Centre of Canon Law Studies, St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bangalore, from 2001 to 2010. He later served as a Resident Professor from 2011 to November 2019. From June 2014 to November 2019, he was Editor of the journal Studies in Church Law, and from September 2016 to November 2019, he was the Director of the Centre of Canon Law Studies. Additionally, from October 2017 to October 2019, he served as Vice-President of the Canon Law Society of India.

Recognizing his pastoral zeal and theological acumen, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Palayamkottai on November 20, 2019, and he was consecrated on December 15, 2019. During his tenure, he was deeply appreciated for strengthening clergy formation, promoting canonical education, and guiding the faithful with clarity and compassion. He was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Madurai on 4 November 2024 and appointed Archbishop of Madurai on 5 July 2025 and was installed on 2 August 2025.

Archbishop Antonysamy Savarimuthu also is currently the Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Canon Law, and the Chairman of the TNBC Commission for Family.

The Diocese of Dindigul warmly welcomes the Apostolic Administrator.

Bishop P. Thomas Paulsamy, who served more than ten years (2016-2026) as the Second Bishop of Dindigul, was born on 2 August 1951 at N. Poolampatty in the Diocese of Tiruchirappalli. He was ordained a priest on 25 May 1977 for the Diocese of Tiruchirappalli, which at that time included the territory that later became the Diocese of Dindigul. Before his appointment as bishop, he served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Tiruchirappalli. He was appointed Bishop of Dindigul on 11 April 2016 and was ordained a bishop on 22 May 2016. We remain grateful to Bishop P. Thomas Paulsamy for his pastoral leadership.