Bishop Rayappu Joseph (Tamil: இராயப்பு யோசப்; 16 April 1940 – 1 April 2021)[1] was a Sri Lanka Tamil prelate and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Mannar.[2][3][4]
Rayappu Joseph | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Mannar | |
| Native name | இராயப்பு யோசப் |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Colombo |
| Diocese | Mannar |
| Installed | 6 July 1992 |
| Term ended | 14 January 2016 |
| Predecessor | Thomas Savundaranayagam |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 April 1940 |
| Died | 1 April 2021 (aged 80) Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
| Buried | Sea |
| Alma mater | Pontifical Urbaniana University |
Early life and family
editJoseph was born on 16 April 1940 on the island of Neduntheevu in northern Ceylon to a practitioner of indigenous medicine[5][6][7] Living in Cheddikulam and Mannar during his early childhood, he was educated at St. Patrick's College, Jaffna.[8][9] Joseph has a Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Pontifical Urbaniana University.[6]
Career
editJoseph was ordained as a priest in December 1967.[5][6] He was a professor at the St Xavier's Seminary, Jaffna.[6] In July 1992 he was appointed Bishop of Mannar and was ordained as a bishop in October 1992.[5][6]
Joseph has been a vocal critic of the Sri Lankan government/Sri Lankan military's conduct during the Sri Lankan Civil War and the country's human rights record.[10][11] This has led to him being threatened by government supporters.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Bishop Emeritus of Mannar Rayappu Joseph passes away". Colombo Page. 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Mannar". Pontifical Mission Societies – Sri Lanka.
- ^ "Resignation accepted of Bp. Rayappu and new Apostolic Administrator of Mannar appointed". Vatican Radio. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
- ^ "Remembering Bishop Rayappu Joseph: A Tireless Campaigner for Justice in Sri Lanka". Jeevethan Selvachandran. The Diplomat. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- ^ a b c "Bishop Rayappu Joseph". Catholic Hierarchy.
- ^ a b c d e "Bishop Joseph". Union of Catholic Asian News.
- ^ "Former Bishop of Mannar Rayappu Joseph passes away | Tamil Guardian". www.tamilguardian.com. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ "Past Bishops". St Patrick's College, Jaffna Old Boys' Association, Colombo Branch. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014.
- ^ Rasaiya, Christy (16 July 2000). "St. Patrick's 150 years old". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
- ^ "Sri Lanka's war panel arouses strong emotions". BBC News. 11 January 2011.
- ^ "Sri Lanka row over Catholic letter on human rights". BBC News. 6 March 2012.
- ^ Jeyaraj, D. B. S. (2 June 2012). "Pope Benedict to express concern over Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph's safety to President Rajapaksa at Vatican". dbsjeyaraj.com.
External links
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