Pope Leo XIV Appoints Bishop Antonysamy Savarimuthu, Bishop of Palayamkottai as New Archbishop of Madurai

The Holy Father Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rt. Rev. Antonysamy Savarimuthu, currently the Bishop of Palayamkottai, as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The appointment follows the resignation of Archbishop Antony Pappusamy, which was accepted by Pope Francis on November 4, 2024. Bishop Savarimuthu was subsequently named Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Madurai and has now been confirmed as its new Archbishop.
Born on December 8, 1960, in Vandanam, a village in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, Archbishop-elect 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.

Following the retirement of Archbishop Antony Pappusamy, Bishop Savarimuthu was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Madurai in November 2024. His elevation to the Metropolitan See now brings new leadership to one of the most historic and vibrant archdioceses in Tamil Nadu.