Bishop Varuvel was the 1st Bishop of the Diocese of Kuzhithurai, erected on 22 December 2014. His episcopal consecration took place on 24 February 2015. Born on 21 October 1951 in Paduvoor, at Kallutharai in Kanyakumari District, in the Diocese of Kottar, Bishop Varuvel had completed his schooling from from Carmel School, Nagercoil in 1965; followed up with his Pre-University Studies at the Scott Christian College in Nagercoil, before joining the St. Aloysius Minor Seminary (1968-1970) at Nagercoil, as a candidate for the diocese of Kottar. He did his philosophical studies at the Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamallee, Chennai (1970-1973), and joined the Salesian novitiate at Yercaud in 1977. He made his first profession on 24 May 1978. His theological studies were done at the Salesian Pontifical University (1981-1985). He was ordained a priest on 02 June 1985, by Pope St. John Paul II at the Vatican. With a bachelor`s degree in economics and theology, and a licentiate in education from the Pontifical Salesian University, Rome, prior to becoming Bishop, Father Varuvel had served in a number of roles, including vice rector of the novitiate in Vellakinar, rector of the pre-novitiate in Tirupattur and Maiyam, dean of the Salesian student body in Trichy, parish priest and rector of the co-Cathedral of Madras-Mylapore, provincial councillor, director of Kalvi Solai in Tirupattur and in Ennore, and director of Mount Don Bosco in Thalavadi. At the time fo his appointment as the 1st Bishop of Kuzhithurai, bifurcated from the Diocese of Kottar, he was Chennai Salesians` Master of Novices at Yeallagiri Hills, Vellore.