Msgr. Joseph Rayappu resigns

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation presented by Msgr. Joseph Rayappu, from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Mannar, in Sri Lanka and has appointed Msgr. Joseph Kingsley Swamipillai retired Bishop of Trincomalee, as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Mannar.

Msgr. Joseph Swamipillai was born on December 9, 1936 and ordained as a priest on December 20, 1961. On March 17, 1983 he was appointed Bishop of the Trincomalee- Batticaloa diocese.

On July 3, 2012 he was appointed Bishop of Trincomalee when the new diocese of Batticaloa was formed. On June 3, 2015 at the age of 78 his resignation was accepted . He was a Bishop for 32 years.

The Diocese of Mannar was set up in 1981 which covers an area of 3,998 sq. kilometres. It has 34 parishes. (Vatican Radio)