Diocese of Dindigul

The Diocese of Dindigul, though erected only on 10 November 2003, stands on centuries of rich missionary heritage rooted in the Jesuit evangelization of Tamil Nadu. Even before Dindigul appeared in the Jesuit Annual Letters of 1711, Christian presence was already recorded along the routes connecting Tiruchirapalli, Malayadipatty, Palani and Uthamapalayam, evangelized in the late 17th century. Over the years, ecclesiastical reorganizations—especially within the Diocese of Tiruchirapalli and later the Diocese and Archdiocese of Madurai—shaped the region’s pastoral structure until the Holy See created the new Diocese of Dindigul by bifurcating Tiruchirapalli, adding 31 parishes from it and six from the Archdiocese of Madurai. Rt. Rev. Antony Pappusamy, then Auxiliary Bishop of Madurai, became its first Bishop when installed on 28 December 2003 and immediately initiated a historic pastoral planning process that positioned Dindigul as the first diocese in India to frame a systematic plan at its inception. After his transfer as Archbishop of Madurai in 2014, the diocese was administered for nearly two years before Pope Francis appointed Rev. Msgr. P. Thomas Paulsamy as the second Bishop on 11 April 2016; he was consecrated on 22 May 2016. A native of Poolampatty and a priest of the Diocese of Tiruchirapalli since 1977, Bishop Paulsamy brought decades of pastoral, administrative and academic experience, including service as Vicar General and extensive parish ministry. Today the diocese continues to grow with 49 parishes, numerous religious congregations and a clear pastoral vision focused on strengthening diocesan administration, spiritual and pastoral life, education and socio-economic upliftment, remaining firmly rooted in Christ and committed to holistic development.