Rayappu Joseph
Sri Lankan Tamil bishop (1940–2021)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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) |
| Buried | St. Sebastian's Cathedral, Mannar |
| Alma mater | Pontifical Urbaniana University |
Early life and family
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 had a Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Pontifical Urbaniana University.[6]
Career
Joseph was ordained 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 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]
