Madurai archbishop explains pallium as ministry of communion and service

MADURAI, Tamil Nadu (Indian Catholic News) — Archbishop Antonysamy Savarimuthu of Madurai has explained the meaning of the pallium and the role of a metropolitan archbishop, saying the ancient vestment is “not an ornament of status” but a sign of humble service, communion and responsibility within the Church.

The archbishop, who received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV during the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul at St. Peter’s Basilica on June 29, said receiving it “was not merely a personal honour” but “an ecclesial gift entrusted to me for the service of the People of God, especially for the communion and mission of our ecclesiastical province.”

Pope Leo XIV appointed Savarimuthu archbishop of Madurai on July 5, 2025. He was installed on Aug. 2, 2025. He had served as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese since Nov. 4, 2024. Earlier, Pope Francis had appointed him as the bishop of Palayamkottai on Nov. 20, 2019.

A sign of service, not status

Describing the symbolism of the pallium, the archbishop said the white wool band worn by the pope and metropolitan archbishops recalls “the lamb carried on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd” and reminds bishops that “pastoral ministry is not exercised from a distance.”

“A shepherd must know the flock, walk with the people, seek those who are lost, bind the wounded and carry the weak,” he wrote in a pastoral circular published in the July edition of the Archdiocese of Madurai’s official newsletter.

He said the crosses on the pallium point to Christ’s sacrifice and show that “episcopal service becomes fruitful not through power or prestige, but through self-giving love.”

Calling it a symbol of responsibility rather than privilege, he added: “The pallium is not an ornament of status but a summons to humility, sacrifice and fidelity.” He said it calls the metropolitan “to bear, with Christ, the joys and sorrows of the Churches entrusted to his fraternal care,” emphasizing that “authority in the Church must always take the form of service.”

Ministry rooted in communion

Archbishop Savarimuthu explained that canon law defines the pallium as a sign of the authority exercised by a metropolitan “in communion with the Roman Church.”

“The pallium binds the metropolitan not only to a territory but also to Peter’s ministry and to the universal communion of the Church,” he wrote. It also “expresses fidelity to the apostolic faith and responsibility for strengthening the bonds among the local Churches.”

Reflecting on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, he said the two apostles represent “communion and mission.”

“The Church is united so that she may be sent, and she is sent so that humanity may be gathered into unity in Christ,” he wrote.

Role of a metropolitan archbishop

The archbishop stressed that a metropolitan does not exercise authority over neighbouring diocesan bishops.

“The metropolitan is not a ‘super-bishop,'” he wrote. “His ministry is primarily one of vigilance, fraternity, coordination and communion.”

He said a metropolitan “serves the bishops without diminishing their responsibility, encourages collaboration without imposing uniformity, and promotes unity while respecting the history, gifts and pastoral needs of each local Church.”

Quoting Church teaching, he said bishops should cultivate “discreet fraternal care, mutual support and the spirit of an elder brother, a first among equals.”

He also described his own understanding of the office, saying: “I therefore understand the ministry of the metropolitan as a call to listen before speaking, to convene rather than control, to encourage rather than dominate, and to build bridges where distance or misunderstanding has arisen.”

Unity begins in the local Church

Archbishop Savarimuthu said communion should be visible throughout Church life, from bishops to parishes and families.

“Communion does not erase difference; it gathers differences into harmony,” he wrote, adding that “the Holy Spirit does not produce sameness but creates concord among diverse gifts for the common good.”

He called for “prayer, honest conversation, mutual correction, common discernment and practical solidarity” among bishops and urged Church communities to practice collaboration rather than competition.

“Communion must become visible in pastoral practice: priests supporting rather than competing; parishes sharing resources rather than protecting territories; religious, clergy and laity planning together,” he wrote.

Concluding his reflection, the archbishop renewed his commitment “to serve unity: unity with the Holy Father and the universal Church; unity among the bishops of the province; unity among clergy, religious and laity; and unity among parishes and institutions.”

He asked Catholics to continue praying “that I may carry the pallium with humility, fidelity and pastoral charity.”

Read the full pastoral circular.