Bangalore 29 June 2021 (CCBI): His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Savarimuthu Arokiaraj (67), of the Clergy of Tiruchirappalli, as Bishop of Tiruchirappalli. This provision was made public in Rome on Tuesday, 29 June, 2021.
Rev. Fr. Savarimuthu Arokiaraj was born on 24 October, 1954 in Lalapettai, Diocese of Tiruchirappalli. He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore (1973-1980). He was ordained priest on 8th January, 1981, for the Diocese of Tiruchirappalli. He obtained a Doctorate in Liturgy from the Institute Catholique de Paris, France (2002).
He served in the following ministries: Asst. Parish Priest, St. Joseph’s Church, Dindigul (1981); Parish Priest at Ayyampatty (1981-1986); Parish Priest at P. Udayapatty (1986-1987); Secretary of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission (1988-1991); Regional Secretary for the Liturgy Commission of Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (1991-1994). He then went for higher studies in France. On his return, he was appointed Secretary of the Liturgy Commission of Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (2002-2008);
Diocesan Chancellor and Parish Priest at Subramaniapuram (2009-2012); Diocesan Chancellor and Professor of Liturgy at St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirappalli (2012-2015); Parish Priest of the Cathedral, Tiruchirappalli (2015-2016); Rector of St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirappalli (2016-2019). Since 2019, he is Rector and Parish Priest of Holy Redeemer’s Basilica, Tiruchirappalli.
The diocese of Tiruchirapalli became vacant by the retirement of late Bishop Antony Devotta on 14 July, 2018, who passed away on 15 October, 20219. The present diocese of Tiruchirapalli comprises parts of three civil districts of Tamilnadu. The diocese consists of 73 parishes grouped into five Vicariates: Vicariate of Puthur, Crawford, Ponmalai, Keeranur and Manaparai.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI