1. Personal Profile
- Born on 29 May 1981, at Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Ordained a priest (Latin Rite) on 19 April 2009. Archdiocese of Madurai.
- Appointed a Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis on 10 February 2016.
2. Academic Qualifications
- Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.), Catholic University of America, Washington, 2023-25.
- Doctorate in Biblical Theology (Ph.D.), Pontifical Athenaeum, Pune, 2015-17.
- Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (L.S.S.), Pontifical Biblical Institute, 2012-15.
- Master in Business Administration, Kamaraj University, 2009-11.
- PG Diploma in Safeguarding of Minors, Pont. Gregorian University, 2022-23.
- PG Diploma in Journalism, Bharathidasan University. Trichy, 2019-20.
3. Linguistic Proficiency
English, Italian, German, Ecclesiastical Latin, Biblical Hebrew, NT Greek.
4. Previous Pastoral Assignments
- Head of Programs. Notre Dame de Sion Centre for Biblical Formation, Jerusalem. (5 May ’25 – 5 Dec ’25)
- Executive Secretary, Commission for Bible, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI); Also there, Jubilee 2025 coordinator. Synod 2021-24 facilitator. (1 Mar ’21 – 19 June ’25)
- Formator-cum-Professor. Missio canonica from the Congregation for Catholic Education. St. Paul’s Institute of Theology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. (22 April ’18 – 31 March ’21)
- Secretary to the Archbishop of Madurai. (22 April ’17 – 21 April ’18)
- Parochial Administrator. Librarian-Archivist. Co-pastor. Projects coordinator. Higher Studies – LSS & PhD. Parish Collaborator. (20 April ’09 – 21 April ’17)
5. Skills & Contributions
- Writer (authored 15 books).
- Translator (E.g., Saint Augustine’s Confessions, Pope Francis’ Patris Corde and Laudato Si’ into Tamil).
- Instructor (Italian, Biblical Hebrew).
- Soft skills mentor (Artificial Intelligence trainer; Church leadership and administration skills).
- Inter-faith scholar (Jewish-Christian relations; dialogue with Hinduism).
- Catholic Media content creator, and designer (iMovie, Canva).
- Certified Reflexology practitioner.
6. Current Ministry (2025-2026)
Rome (Part-Time Volunteering). Interlocutore Referente. Pontifical Academy of Theology. Since 6 December ’25 till date.
Vicario Parrocchiale, Parrocchia di Sacra Famiglia, Vibo Valentia, Diocesi di Mileto-Nicotera-Tropea. Since 1 Jan ’26 till date.
At the Service of the Local Church in Tamil Nadu and the Universal Church through Yesni Prays, Yesni Foundation, and Catholic Quotient.
7. Initiatives for the Church Universal
- Convenor of Think-Tank on the Sacrament of Reconciliation Today: Pathways of Empathy and Resilience.
- Organiser of trans-disciplinary dialogue series and popular theology workshops that bring academic insights to people’s everyday faith.
- Committed to making Catholic Theology – esp. themes like synodality – visible and accessible through social media platforms.
My Coat of Arms:
Heart (Compassion). Hand (Service). Eye (Stewardship). Mouth (Proclamation).
Cross (Faithfulness). Sowing (Fruitfulness).
My Three LifLaws:
Focus: Prioritise what truly matters (Pareto’s 80/20).
“You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Mt 25:21)
Discipline: Master yourself to fulfil your mission.
“I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.” (1 Cor 9:27)
Action: Wisdom is proven by action.
“Success is the shortest gap between idea and action.” (Inspired by Musk)
“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (Jas 1:22)
Born of a Śaivite Father, Mr. Karunanidhi Thangavel and a Catholic Mother, Mrs. Maria Selvam Karunanidhi, on 6 December 1981 (as per Government Records 29 May 1981), at South Nathampatty, a village of the Parish of Our Lady of Mary Help of Christians, Rajapalayam, in the civil district of Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India. With a sibling Mrs. Arul Mary Maria Muthu.
Core Values: Serenity (Ps 131:2); Simplicity (1 Tim 6:6-7); Sincerity (Jn 8:32); Stewardship (Mt 24:45);
Smartness (Prov 22:29); Smile (Phil 4:4); Success (1 Cor 9:24).
Yesu Karunanidhi 