Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Sahaya Thatheus Thomas (54), Rector of Holy Trinity Major Seminary, Jalandhar, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Simla-Chandigarh. The announcement was made on April 12, 2025.
At the same time, the Holy Father accepted the resignation of Bishop Ignatius Loyola Ivan Mascarenhas (75), who has led the diocese since 2009.
Fr. Thadeus was born on 6 November 1971 in Chinnavilai, Tamil Nadu, in the Diocese of Kottar. He began his schooling at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Chinnavilai, and completed his high school at B.M.H.S. School, Manavalakurichi. In 1988, he joined the St. Paul’s Minor Seminary in Lucknow and pursued his intermediate studies there. He later moved to Holy Trinity Regional Major Seminary, Jullundur, for his philosophical formation, earning a B.A. from Punjab University, Chandigarh.
Following his pastoral internship at the Kauli Minor Seminary and Phattak Majiri Mission Station, he completed his theological studies at Holy Trinity Major Seminary. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Simla-Chandigarh on 13 May 2001.
Fr. Thadeus holds two master’s degrees: one in journalism and mass communication from Punjabi University, Patiala (2006–2008), and another in human rights from the Indian Institute of Human Rights, New Delhi (2007–2009).
He also studied German at the University of Vienna before completing a Licentiate in Theology (2010–2013) and a Doctorate in Sacred Scripture (2013–2016) from the University of Vienna, Austria.
His pastoral ministry began as a parish assistant at Little Flower Parish, Panchkula (2001–2004), where he also served as priest-in-charge.
He then took on responsibilities as Vice-Rector of the Diocesan Minor Seminary, Kauli (2004–2009), while also serving as Director of the Diocesan Commission for Media and the Bible Enquiry Center.
While in Austria, he served the Archdiocese of Vienna as Assistant Parish Priest in Schwechat and Retz. On his return to India, he served as a parish priest at Little Flower Parish, Sangrur (2017–2019). He has served as the rector of Holy Trinity Major Seminary in Jalandhar since 2019.
The Diocese of Simla-Chandigarh, which covers parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, now welcomes its new shepherd, deeply rooted in pastoral care, academic excellence, and missionary zeal. - Stephen Alathara
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