Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On 13 October 2015, the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Jaffna (Sri Lanka), presented by His Exc. Mgr. Thomas Savundaranayagam Emmanuel, in accordance with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law. The Holy Father appointed Rev. Mgr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam, Vicar General of the same diocese as Bishop of Jaffna.
Rev. Mgr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam was born on May 13, 1948, in Karampon, Kayts, in the diocese of Jaffna. After elementary school at St. Anthony's College, in Kayts, he entered the Minor Seminary in Jaffna, and continued secondary school at St. Patrick's College. He completed his philosophical studies at the National Seminary in Kandy and his theological studies in the Papal Seminary in Pune, India. He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Jaffna on April 24, 1974.
Since ordination he has served in a number of pastoral and academic roles: 1974-1975: Assistant priest in the missions of Kilinochchi and Valaipadu; 1975-1976: Assistant priest in the mission of Uruthirapuram; 1976-1979: Assistant priest in St. Anne, Ilavalai; 1979-1980: Ecumenical Theology Studies at the University of Hull, United Kingdom; 1980-1985: Parish priest in the mission of Mareesankoodal and Vice-Rector of St. Henry's College; 1986-1989: Studies in Science Education at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom; 1990-1994: Director of a group of state Schools; Rector of St. Henry's College; 1995-2002: Dean of the Deanery of Ilavalai (9 parishes); 1992-2006: Visiting Professor at the Major Seminary in Jaffna; 2002-2007: Rector, St. Patrick's College, Jaffna; 2002: Examiner of doctoral thesis, University of Jaffna; since 2007: Vicar General of Jaffna; since 2008: Director of Catholic typography in Jaffna. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 13/10/2015)
