Rayappu Joseph
Right Reverend Rayappu Joseph (Tamil: இராயப்பு யோசப்; born 16 April 1940) is a Sri Lanka Tamil priest and the former Roman Catholic Bishop of Mannar.[1][2]
Rt Rev. Rayappu Joseph | |
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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 | Delft, Ceylon | 16 April 1940
Alma mater | Pontifical Urbaniana University |
Early life and family
Joseph was born on 16 April 1940 on the island of Neduntheevu in northern Ceylon.[3][4] He was educated at St. Patrick's College, Jaffna.[5][6] Joseph has a Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Pontifical Urbaniana University.[4]
Career
Joseph was ordained as a priest in December 1967.[3][4] He was a professor at the St Xavier's Seminary, Jaffna.[4] In July 1992 he was appointed Bishop of Mannar and was ordained as a bishop in October 1992.[3][4]
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.[7][8] This has led to him being threatened by government supporters.[9]
References
- "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.
- "Bishop Rayappu Joseph". Catholic Hierarchy.
- "BBishop Joseph". Union of Catholic Asian News.
- "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.
Catholic Church titles | ||
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Preceded by Thomas Savundaranayagam |
Bishop of Mannar 6 July 1992 – 14 January 2016 |
Succeeded by Kingsley Swampillai (as Apostolic Administrator) |