History

The Diocese of Thanjavur covers the entire area of the District of Thanjavur and the newly formed districts of Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur (with the exception of two Taluks, namely Kumbakonam and Papanasam). The diocese also covers seven Taluks of Pudukkottai and one Taluk of South Arcot district.

The Diocese of Thanjavur originally forming part of the southern portion of the ancient Dioceses of Mylapore, was separated from Mylapore and erected into a Diocese on November 23, 1952 by the Holy See by the Bull of erection "Exprimaevae Ecclesiae". The town of Thanjavur was made the Episcopal See and the Sacred Heart Church, Thanjavur, the Cathedral.

The Diocese of Thanjavur is bounded on the east by the Bay of Bengal, on the west by the boundaries of Trichy and South Arcot districts, on the north by the river Vellar and on the south by Ramnad district.

The territory constituting the present Diocese of Thanjavur, had been the fruitful field of heroic labours of Portuguese Padroado Fathers from Goa and other Fathers such as the Franciscans, the Jesuits, the Foreign Missionary Society of Paris, the Salesians and members of the Diocesan Clergy.

Bp R. A. Sundaram was appointed the First Bishop of Thanjavur.

Bp DEVADASS AMBROSE MARIADOSS
Born: Oct. 06, 1947
Priestly Ordn.: Aug. 05, 1974
Episcopal Ordn.: Sep. 24, 1997

Address: 
Bishop's House
P.B. No. 204
Thanjavur - 613 007
Tamil Nadu.
 
Tel: (04362) 23 12 52 (O), 23 41 23 (P)
Fax: (04362) 23 41 23
E-mail: bishop_tnj@sancharnet.in
Website: http://www.dioceseofthanjavur.org/