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
- 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
Tamil, English, Italian, Spanish,
Biblical Hebrew, New Testament Greek, and Ecclesiastical Latin.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 16 books).
- Translator (E.g., Saint Augustine’s Confessions, Pope Francis’ Patris Corde and Laudato Si’ into Tamil).
- Teacher (Italian for Pastoral Ministry, Communicative English, Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Pastoral Animation).
- 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)
Pastoral Ministry in Italy
Serving the local Church in the Diocese of Mileto–Nicotera–Tropea through sacramental, pastoral, and parish ministry.Missionary of Mercy
Exercising the ministry of reconciliation through preaching, confession, spiritual accompaniment, and the proclamation of God’s mercy.7. My Expressions
- Yesni Prays. Faith Works. Publications. Courses. Digital Services. Bible Academy.
- Yesni Foundation. Wings to the Young. Safeguarding Resources, Policy Drafting. Online Training.
- Tekton Fellowship. Work. Worship. Witness. Tamil Theological Cenacle. English Theological Cenacle. Weekly Newsletter.
My Coat of Arms:
Heart (Empathy).
Eye (Stewardship).
Hand (Service). Mouth (Proclamation).
Cross (Faithfulness). Sowing (Fruitfulness).
My Life Law:
Credibility
To remain faithful to God and fruitful in life and ministry, using every gift responsibly. Inspired by the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14–30), credibility makes faith visible through integrity, responsibility, and service. In the end, we shall be asked not whether we were believers (credenti), but whether we were believable (credibili).
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).
