Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj

Bishop

Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj
Bishop; Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj
Former Roman Catholic Bishiop of Dharmapuri
Native name	ஜோசப் அந்தோணி இருதயராஜ்
Archdiocese	Pondicherry and Cuddalore
Diocese	Dharmapuri
Installed	April 25, 1997
Term ended	February 19, 2012
Predecessor	Michael Bosco Duraisamy
Successor	Lawrence Pius Dorairaj
Orders
Ordination	April 20, 1965
Consecration	April 24, 1997; by Michael Augustine
Rank	Bishop
Personal details
Born	October 4, 1935; Chennai
Died	November 29, 2019 (aged 84); Chennai
Nationality	Indian
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Parents	Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Mary
Education	B.Phil & B.Sc (Physics)

Last updated September 25, 2023

Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj SDB, is the former and the first bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Dharmapuri.^[1]

Early Life

He was born in 1935 in Purasawalkam, Chennai, as the son of Samuel and Mary. He completed his primary education at St. Andrews School, Chennai, and his high school education at Don Bosco in Thirupattur. Later, he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy at Joseph's Philosophical College, Kothagiri.^[2] Subsequently, he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Physics from Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong.^[3]

Priesthood

After his ordination on April 20, 1965, under the Order of the Salesians of Don Bosco congregation, he was appointed as the Dean of Dominic Savio School in Tirupattur. From 1966 to 1971, he served as the director of Broadway Don Bosco Youth Club in Chennai.^[4] Following that, he was appointed as the director of Vellore Don Bosco Youth Club from 1971 to 1972.

In 1972-73, he went to Salesian Pontifical University, Rome for higher pastoral studies.^[5] Between 1973 and 1982, he managed various priest houses in Katpadi, Gandhi Nagar (Vellore), and Tirupattur. He then became the parish priest of Holy Spirit Church, Tagore Nagar, Pondicherry, from 1982 to 1983.^[6] From 1983 to 1989, he managed the Yercaud Retreat Center. Between 1989 and 1991, he served as the parish priest of Don Bosco Shrine, Ayanavaram, Chennai. Following that, from 1991 to 1996, he served as a Councillor of Don Bosco House in Broadway.

Episcopate

He was consecrated as the Bishop of Dharmapuri on April 24, 1997, in Salem. The Diocese of Dharmapuri was carved out from the Diocese of Salem in 1997, and he took on the responsibility of building and developing the standards and infrastructure of the newly formed Dharmapuri Diocese.^[7]

During his time as Bishop, he made significant contributions to the diocese. He established 10 new parishes and 5 quasi-parishes, expanding the reach of the diocese's spiritual services. Additionally, he played a crucial role in the construction of a seminary to facilitate the education and training of priests in the region. Notably, under his leadership, around 23 churches were built to cater to the growing Catholic community.^[8]

After serving the diocese with extraordinary dedication and commitment for 15 years, he retired on February 19, 2012. Later, on November 29, 2019, he passed away in Chennai at the age of 84. His legacy and contributions to the Diocese of Dharmapuri continue to be remembered and cherished by the Catholic community he served.

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The Vinnarasi Madha Church, also called Our Lady of Queen of Heaven Church, is a Roman Catholic Parish Church in Kandikuppam village, Krishnagiri district, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated on the Krishnagiri - Bargur National Highway NH48. It is the place of worship for about 3000 Catholics living in that village. Under this parish administration there are 4 Churches (Chapels), a Divine center and Middle School. This church is servers under the administration of Dharmapuri Diosceses.

Queen of Angels Church or St. Mary's Church is located in Kadagathur village, Dharamapuri District, Tamil Nadu, India. Due to Catholic settlements in 19th century this is second oldest church in its Dharmapuri Diocese.

Saint Francis Xavier Church is a parish church for catholic devotees around Kethanahalli Village in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, India. This church servers under administration of Dharmapuri Diocese

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church is catholic parish church in B. Pallipatti village near Bommidi in Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu, India. This parish is famous for its Jesus life story open theater drama Maasattra Ratham performed every second Friday after Easter. Also this is one of the oldest parish in Dharamapuri Diocese.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Thenkaraikottai, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This is comes under the administration of Dharmapuri Diocise.

Sacred Heart Church, is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Harur in district of Dharamapuri which in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This church is also one of the Vicariate church of Dharmapuri Diocese.

The John De Britto Church in Sesurajapuram is a renowned Roman Catholic parish church located in Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu, India. It falls under the administration of the Dharmapuri Diocese.

Jesus the King Church in Palacode is a Roman Catholic place of worship located in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a Catholic church parish under the administration of the Dharmapuri Diocese.

St. Antony's Church is a Roman Catholic church situated in Bommidi, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, India. This church holds great prominence among the Christians, leading to its elevation as a Shrine by the Dharmapuri Diocese.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Rayakottai, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, India. It falls under the administration of the Dharmapuri Diocese.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the heart of Dharmapuri town, Tamil Nadu, India. Currently, a new and larger Sacred Heart Cathedral is under construction on Annasagaram Lake Road, Dharmapuri. This cathedral comes under the administration of the Dhramapuri Diocese.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Visuvasampatti village in Krishnagiri district, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This is comes under the administration of Dharmapuri Diocese.

Infant Jesus Church is a Roman Catholic church situated in Selliampatti village, located on the Dharmapuri Palacode highway in the Dharmapuri district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This church is a newly established parish, separate from the Kadagathur parish, primarily serving the Catholic communities of Selliampatti and Gollapatti as its two main substations. The administration of this church falls under the jurisdiction of the Dharmapuri Diocese.

The Our Lady of Good Health Church is a Roman Catholic church situated in Mathigiri, a suburban area adjacent to Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India. According to Catholic Missionary records, Mathigiri holds a rich historical significance due to the presence of M.E.P Fathers who established settlements in the early 19th century. This is considered to be the mother parish church of Hosur and Denkanikottai belt. Now this servers under the jurisdiction of Dharmapuri Diocese.

References

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[1] ttps://dharmapuridiocese.org/cms/public_view/a_brief_history.html

[2] ttps://www.ootydiocese.org/religious-institutions

[3] ttps://shtcshillong.in/

[4] ttps://www.dbycbroadway.com/

[5] ttps://www.unisal.it/

[6] ttps://catholicchurches.in/directory/pondicherry-churches/holy-spirit-church-tagore-nagar.htm

[7] ttps://salemdiocese.org/

[8] ttps://dharmapuridiocese.org/parishes/lists.html

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