Native name இராயப்பு யோசப் Term ended 14 January 2016 Church Roman Catholic Church Name Rayappu Joseph | Installed 6 July 1992 | |
Alma mater Pontifical Urban University Diocese Roman Catholic Diocese of Mannar | ||
Right Reverend Rayappu Joseph (Tamil: இராயப்பு யோசப்; born 16 April 1940) is a Sri Lanka Tamil priest and the former Roman Catholic Bishop of Mannar.
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Early life and family
Joseph was born on 16 April 1940 on the island of Neduntheevu in northern Ceylon. He was educated at St. Patrick's College, Jaffna. Joseph has a Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Pontifical Urbaniana University.
Career
Joseph was ordained as a priest in December 1967. He was a professor at the St Xavier's Seminary, Jaffna. In July 1992 he was appointed Bishop of Mannar and was ordained as a bishop in October 1992.
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. This has led to him being threatened by government supporters.