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
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseColombo
DioceseMannar
Installed6 July 1992
Term ended14 January 2016
PredecessorThomas Savundaranayagam
Personal details
Born(1940-04-16)16 April 1940
Died1 April 2021(2021-04-01) (aged 80)
Jaffna, Sri Lanka
BuriedSea
Alma materPontifical Urbaniana University

Early life and family

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Joseph 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

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Joseph 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

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  1. ^ "Bishop Emeritus of Mannar Rayappu Joseph passes away". Colombo Page. 1 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Mannar". Pontifical Mission Societies – Sri Lanka.
  3. ^ "Resignation accepted of Bp. Rayappu and new Apostolic Administrator of Mannar appointed". Vatican Radio. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Remembering Bishop Rayappu Joseph: A Tireless Campaigner for Justice in Sri Lanka". Jeevethan Selvachandran. The Diplomat. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Bishop Rayappu Joseph". Catholic Hierarchy.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Bishop Joseph". Union of Catholic Asian News.
  7. ^ "Former Bishop of Mannar Rayappu Joseph passes away | Tamil Guardian". www.tamilguardian.com. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Past Bishops". St Patrick's College, Jaffna Old Boys' Association, Colombo Branch. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014.
  9. ^ Rasaiya, Christy (16 July 2000). "St. Patrick's 150 years old". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka).
  10. ^ "Sri Lanka's war panel arouses strong emotions". BBC News. 11 January 2011.
  11. ^ "Sri Lanka row over Catholic letter on human rights". BBC News. 6 March 2012.
  12. ^ 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.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Mannar
6 July 1992 – 14 January 2016
Succeeded by
Kingsley Swampillai
(as Apostolic Administrator)