Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Tiruchirapalli, India, the Reverend Savarimuthu Arokiaraj, of the clergy of the same diocese, until now rector of the Holy Redeemer’s Basilica in Tiruchirapalli.
Msgr. Savarimuthu Arokiaraj was born on 24 October 1954 in Lalapettai, in the diocese of Tiruchirapalli. He carried out his studies in philosophy (1974-1976) and in theology (1977-1980) at Saint Peter’s Seminary in Bangalore. He was awarded a doctorate in theology with specialisation in liturgy at the Institut Catholique de Paris (2002).
He was ordained a priest on 8 January 1981 for the diocese of Tiruchirapalli.
Since priestly ordination, he has held the following offices: parish vicar of Saint Joseph’s Church, Dindigul (1981); parish priest in Ayyampatty (1981-1986) and Udayapatty (1986-1987); secretary of the Commission for the Liturgy of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (1988-1991, 2002-2008); regional secretary of the Commission for the Liturgy, Tindivanam (1991-1994); diocesan chancellor (2009-2015) and parish priest in Subramaniapuram (2009-2012); teacher of liturgy at Saint Paul’s Seminary (2012-2015); parish priest of the Cathedral of Tiruchirapalli (2014ì5-2016); rector of Saint Paul’s Seminary (2016-2019) and, since 2019, rector of the Holy Redeemer’s Basilica in Tiruchirapalli. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 30/6/2021)
