Joseph Ponniah
Sri Lankan Roman Catholic bishop (1952–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Ponniah (12 October 1952 – 19 May 2025) was a Sri Lankan Roman Catholic prelate, who served as a Bishop of Batticaloa.[2]
Joseph Ponniah | |
|---|---|
| Bishop Emeritus of Batticaloa | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Province | Colombo |
| Diocese | Batticaloa |
| Installed | 3 July 2012 |
| Term ended | 19 August 2024[1] |
| Predecessor | First |
| Successor | Vacant |
| Previous posts | Auxiliary Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa and Titular Bishop of Mons in Mauretania (2008–2012) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 30 April 1980 |
| Consecration | 24 May 2008 by Kingsley Swampillai |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 October 1952 Thannamunai, Ceylon |
| Died | 19 May 2025 (aged 72) Batticaloa, Sri Lanka |
| Alma mater | University of Jaffna University of Peradeniya Pontifical Urbaniana University |
Background
Ponniah was born on 12 October 1952 in Thannamunai in eastern Ceylon.[3][4] He was educated at St. Joseph's Minor Seminary and St. Joseph's College, Trincomalee.[5][6] He had a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from St. Paul Seminary, Thiruchirapally and a Bachelor of Theology from the National Seminary, Poonah.[5][6] Ponniah also had a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Peradeniya, a Licentiate in Biblical Theology degree from the Pontifical Urbaniana University (1993) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian civilization from the University of Jaffna.[5][7][8]
Ponniah died on 19 May 2025, at the age of 72.[9]
Career
Ponniah was ordained a priest in April 1980.[3][4] He was parish priest at St. Mary's Co-Cathedral, Batticaloa (1980–82), Vaharai, Veechchu Kalmunai and Ayhiyamalai.[5][8] He was rector at the Minor Seminar, Batticaloa (1993–96) before teaching Pauline theology as professor of holy scriptures at the National Seminary, Ampitiya (1996-01).[5][6][8] He was then parish priest in Thandavanveli (2001–06) and vicar general for the Diocese of Trincomalee-Batticaloa (2006–08).[5][8] He also lectured at the Eastern University, Sri Lanka.[7] In February 2008 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa and was ordained a bishop in May 2008.[3][4] He was appointed Bishop of Batticaloa in July 2012.[3][4]
