Bishop Jerome Dhas: Contributions to the Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council and his relationship with the Salesian Congregation
It is with a heavy heart, yet one filled with profound gratitude, that I reflect on the life of Bishop Jerome Dhas Varuvel, SDB, particularly as we receive the news of his passing just yesterday, March 24, 2026.
His transition from this world to the Father’s house marks the end of a physical journey that was entirely "given to God and the young." Here is a deeper look into the specific pillars of his legacy.
1. The Salesian Identity: Formator of Souls
Before he was a Bishop, Jerome Dhas was a Master of Novices.
A Paternal Formator: At Idaya Deepam in Yelagiri Hills, he was known not for rigid discipline, but for "Affirmative Accompaniment." He believed that a vocation is nurtured through kindness.
His monthly dialogues with novices were legendary for their patience—he sought the "goodness" in every individual, a trait he carried into his governance of the Kuzhithurai Diocese. The Pedagogy of Presence: His Licentiate in Pedagogy from Rome wasn't just a degree; it was his methodology. Whether as Rector in Tirupattur or Director in the tribal belts of Thalavadi, he practiced the Salesian "Preventive System"—reason, religion, and loving-kindness.
2. The TNBC and Regional Leadership
Within the Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council (TNBC), Bishop Jerome was a voice for structural reform and youth animation.
The Youth Commission: He was instrumental in aligning the TNBC’s youth outreach with the global Salesian Youth Ministry Framework. He pushed for "Life Skills" and "Ecological Responsibility" to be part of parish-level youth formation.
Linguistic and Liturgical Contribution: Gifted in music, he composed numerous hymns that are still sung across Tamil Nadu.
He understood that in the Tamil culture, faith is expressed through song, and he used his musicality as a pastoral tool for evangelization.
3. A Vision of the "Peripheries"
Long before he became Bishop Emeritus, Jerome Dhas focused on the marginalized and tribal populations.
The Thalavadi Mission: His years (2003–2010) in the Erode district among the poor and tribal communities defined his episcopal motto. He didn't just build chapels; he built "Kalvi Solai" (Centres for Education and Culture).
The "Silent" Administrator: In Kuzhithurai, his administration was quiet but firm. He inherited a new diocese with no infrastructure and, within five years, established a functional Curia while remaining personally detached from material wealth. He was often seen as a "Confessor Bishop"—even in his final years at St. Bede’s and The Citadel, he spent hours in the confessional, offering mercy to all who came.
4. Personal Beliefs: The Theology of Suffering
In his final years (2020–2026), Bishop Jerome faced the "dark night" of Parkinson’s and dementia with extraordinary serenity.
The Cross as Ministry: He viewed his illness not as a retirement from work, but as a new form of ministry—a silent testimony of faith.
Marian Devotion: His life was bookended by the Salesian devotion to Mary Help of Christians. He believed that she "did everything" in his life, from his ordination by St. John Paul II to the founding of the Kuzhithurai Diocese.
A Final Prayer
As the Diocese of Kuzhithurai prepares for his funeral today, March 25, we remember a man who was a "Master Builder" of both structures and spirits. He was a shepherd who knew his sheep by name and a Salesian who lived the joy of the Gospel until his very last breath.
May his soul rest in peace.
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