George Antonysamy (born 23 January 1947) is an Indian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who has served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore since 2012. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis on 27 August 2022.
Early life and education
Born in Pannaikulam, Tamil Nadu, India, Antonysamy completed his primary and secondary education at local schools before entering the minor seminary of the diocese of Tiruchirapalli. He pursued philosophical and theological studies at St. Peter's Pontifical College, Bangalore, and later earned a licentiate in canon law (J.C.L.) from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.
Priesthood
Antonysamy was ordained a priest on 1 May 1975 for the Diocese of Tiruchirapalli. He served in various pastoral and administrative capacities, including parish priest, spiritual director at the minor seminary, and provincial superior of the St. Thomas the Apostle Province of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) from 1990 to 1996. He also taught canon law at several ecclesiastical institutions in India.
Episcopal ministry
On 30 January 1999, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Tiruchirapalli, and he received episcopal consecration on 4 April 1999. He was transferred to the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore on 8 February 2012, succeeding Archbishop Oswald Felix Pokoveny. As archbishop, Antonysamy has overseen pastoral initiatives, interreligious dialogue, and social outreach programs within the archdiocese.
Cardinalate
Pope Francis announced his creation as a cardinal on 29 May 2022, assigning him the titular church of San Pancrazio. He was formally created a cardinal‑priest during the consistory on 27 August 2022.
Other roles
- President, Tamil Nadu Catholic Bishops’ Council (since 2016)
- Member, Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation (appointed 2023)
References
- Holy See Press Office, "Rinunce e Nomine," 8 February 2012.
- Vatican News, "Pope Francis announces new cardinals," 29 May 2022.
- Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore official website.
This entry presents information that is verifiable through reliable ecclesiastical and news sources.
