Bishop Athanasius Rethna Swamy Swamiadian

Rev. Athanasius Rethna Swamy Swamiadian was born on February 10, 1961, in Parampukkarai, in the Diocese of Kottar, Tamil Nadu state. He studied at St. Charles Major Seminary in Nagpur and obtained a Licentiate in Clinical Psychology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest on March 29, 1989, for the Diocese of Ahmedabad. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1989–1991: Parochial Vicar in Sanand; 1991–1993: Rector of St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Ahmedabad; 1993–1994: Principal of St. Xavier’s High School, Chavdapura; 1994–1998: Studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome; 1998–2002: Rector of Shradha Interdiocesan Seminary, Ahmedabad; 2002–2012: Rector of St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary in Ahmedabad and Spiritual Director at Gujarat Vidya Deep Seminary, Baroda; since 2012: Rector of Vianney Vihar Interdiocesan Major Seminary, Baroda; Lecturer and Spiritual Director at Gujarat Vidya Deep, Baroda; Spiritual Director at St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary, Ahmedabad; and member of the Presbyteral Council and Consultor for the Diocese of Ahmedabad.