Bishops Profile

Most Rev. Dr.T. Sagayaraj,

In the light of the communication received from the Apostolic Nunciature, we wish to inform you that His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Sagayaraj Thamburaj, of the clergy of Tiruchirappalli, until now professor at St. Paul’s Seminary, as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Thanjavur (Tanjore).

This provision was made public in Rome on Saturday, 13th July 2024, at noon, corresponding to 15:30 hours, Indian Standard Time.


Msgr. Sagayaraj Thamburaj was born on 14th March 1969 in Ayyampatty, in the Diocese of Tiruchirappalli. He studied philosophy and theology at the Sacred Heart Seminary in Poonamalle, Chennai, and was ordained a priest on 17th April 1996. He was awarded a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Madras, a master’s degree from Madurai Kamaraj University, and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Madras.

He has held the following offices:

S.NO. Year Details
1 1996 - 1997 Assistant Parish Priest, St.Mary’s Cathedral, Tiruchirappalli
2 1997 - 2004 Parish Priest, Marianathapuram, Dindigul
3 2004 - 2007 Associate Director, Tiruchirappalli Multipurpose Service Society
4 2001 - 2007 Secretary of Priests’ Senate
5 2002 - 2004 Secretary of SC/ST Commission, Dindigul Episcopal Vicariate
6 2004 - 2009 Secretary of SC/ST Commission, Tiruchirappalli
7 2007 - 2012 Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre and Coordinator of the Pastoral Commissions and Convenor of the Diocesan Pastoral Council
8 2001 - 2007 Member of the College of Consultors and the Diocesan Finance Committee
9 2012 - 2017 Member of the College of Consultors and the Diocesan Finance Committee
10 2012 - 2017 Parish Priest and Vicar Forane, Manapparai
11 2017 - 2023 Rector & Parish Priest, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Tiruchirappalli
12 From - 2023 Member of the Faculty of Theology, St. Paul’s Seminary, Tiruchirappalli and the President of the Tamilnadu Systematic Theologians’ Forum

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