The Diocese of Mannar walks towards with a new Bishop

Holy Father Pope Francis officially named Bishop Gnanapragasam Antonipillai as the new Bishop of Mannar to take over the pastoral care of the Diocese of Mannar, which was recently vacated by Bishop Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando, and Bishop Gnanapragasam Antonipillai officially assumed the responsibility of the post recently. The episcopal ordination of Anthonipillai Gnanapragasam as the Bishop of Mannar took place at the historic Our Lady of Madhu Shrine of the Diocese of Mannar on the 22nd of February.

Last year, in December Pope Francis officially appointed  Reverend Gnanapragasam Anthonypillai, then administrator of the ‘Our Lady of Madhu National Shrine’ in Mannar, as the new Bishop of Mannar,   succeeding Bishop Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando, who recently resigned from his pastoral duties in the diocese.

The holy mass was concelebrated at 9.30 a.m. by the former Bishop Emannuel Fernando together with Bishop Brain Udgaweid the Papal Nuncio to the Vatican, Colombo Archbishop, Jaffna Bishop, and other bishops of the Bishop Conference of Sri Lanka. Big participation of the Diocese and other Diocesan Priests, Clergy, and faithful.

While the holy mass presided over in Tamil, Sinhala, and English, the Bishop of Jaffna, Bishop Justin Gnanapragasam delivered the homily in Tamil, and the Bishop of Kurunegala and the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka (CBCSL), Bishop Herold Anthony Perera delivered the homily in the Sinhala language.

“Today, the prophet Jeremiah presented in the 1st sermon that everything happens according to the will of God. According to his presentation, someone is chosen and identified for service even before they are conceived in the mother’s womb.” Said Bishop Harold Anthony Perera.

“ Accordingly, he fulfilled the responsibility of priestly life by fulfilling many responsibilities, recognizing the priesthood of God’s love. As the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Mannar , today, he takes another step forward to serve God with another responsibility”.

“Dear Brother Bishop, today you are receiving a people from a land bathed in the blood of martyrs. A people who have not yet fully recovered from the sorrow, tears, and bitter pain of 30 years of war. Therefore, those people are waiting for you, to embark on a long pilgrimage. Therefore, walk with them and nourish them. Take care of them”.

“We congratulate Bishop Emmanuel Pillai as he assumes the responsibilities of his office today, according to the will of God, to sanctify the people, to preach the doctrine of Christ, and to provide pastoral leadership to the people of God. Let us join our prayers,” said Bishop Harold Anthony.

Amid the insults and mockery that come your way, remember the Holy Word of God. So, with the protection of your patroness Our Lady of Madhu, the intercession of the saintly and heroic Saint Sebastian of your cathedral, and the mighty blessings of God, we all have the same wish for you to embark on a missionary journey of hope. Our blessings. Our wishes and our prayers.” Bishop Perera congratulated the new bishop.

During the mass announcing the Apostolic succession, the Apostolic mandate letter of the Holy Father Francis on the appointment of Bishop-elect Bishop Anthonipillai was proclaimed in Latin by the Secretary of the Nuncio to Sri Lanka.

As the reports mentioned, Reverend Anthonypillai, a longstanding and committed member of the Mannar Diocese, brings with him decades of experience in various ecclesiastical roles since his ordination in 1994.

Born on 12 July 1965 in the town of Adampan, situated within the Mannar Diocese, he was raised and nurtured within the very community he will now serve as bishop.

He pursued his academic studies in philosophy and theology at the Saint Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Jaffna, equipping himself with the knowledge and spiritual foundation needed for his future role in the Church.

Over the years, Reverend Anthonypillai has contributed to the diocese in numerous capacities. His early years of service included roles as the Parish Vicar of Murunkan from 1994 to 1996 and as the Secretary to the Bishop between 1996 and 1999.

His dedication to parish life saw him serve as the Parish Priest of Cheddikulam (1999-2003), Pallimunai (2003-2006), and Vankalai (2006-2009), all the while providing spiritual guidance and support to his congregations.

According to the Catholic Church sources Bishop Anthonipillai Gnanapragasam was born on 12 July 1965, in Adampan in the Mannar Diocese and studied philosophy and theology at the Saint Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Jaffna. He was ordained a priest on 07 April 1994, for the clergy of Mannar. After ordination, he held the roles of Parish Vicar of Murunkan (1994-1996), Secretary to the Bishop (1996-1999), Parish Priest of Cheddikulam (1999-2003), Parish Priest of Pallimunai (2003-2006), Parish Priest of Vankalai (2006-2009), Rector of the Diocesan Minor Seminary (2014-2018), and Parish Priest of St. Sebastian’s Cathedral (2018-2021) and Pesalai (2021-2023).After obtaining a licentiate in religious education from Fordham University in New York (2010-2014), he attended a course in youth pastoral care in India (2022). Since 2023, he has served as administrator of the Our Lady of Madhu National Shrine in Mannar.

Catholic faithful of the Mannar Diocese wish him God’s blessings and expect deep spiritual pastoral care is expected.

Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam was consecrated as the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mannar. The diocese began with 12 diocesan priests and 15 parishes but, today there are 58 diocesan priests and 35  parishes.

The martyrdom of 600 Catholics in 1544  sowed the seeds of the diocese. Some 400 years ago, a Tamil king in Sri Lanka killed Tamils including women and children who had converted to  Catholicism. These people are known as the Martyrs of Mannar. Mannar is located in the driest region of the country and the Mannar was dedicated to Our Lady of Madhu. The  Madhu Shrine is one of the ancient Churches in Asia.

The diocese stretches over a land area of 3,952.1 square km. “Mannar” means “deer river” or “silt river.” Mannar was also  known as Manthai or Mathoddam, meaning “mango garden.” An important feature of the town is the Portuguese Fort. Malwattu Oya, one of the longest rivers in Sri Lanka, runs through Mannar. Mannar is part of the “Catholic belt” extending from Negombo. The Portuguese first arrived in Colombo and established Catholic areas around Chilaw. They also expanded. Thus, the whole of  Mannar can be called a “Catholic Belt.”

END.