People

Msgr. Justin B. Gnanapragasam - New Bishop of Jaffna Diocese

A journey of spiritual excellence

Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam was born on May 13, 1948 in Karampon, Jaffna to devout Catholic parents, Antonypillai and Emily Thangamalar Gnanapragasam as the fourth child in the family.

He had his early education at St. Anthony's College and St. Patrick's College, Jaffna. His formative years of learning were at St. Martin' Minor Seminary, Jaffna. He studied Philosophy at the National Seminary, Ampitiya and Theology at Papal Seminary, Pune, India. He was ordained by the late Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. B. Deogupillai on June 24, 1974.

After serving in outpost Killinochchi and Valaipadu parishes for two years, he was installed as the Vice Rector of St. Henry's College, Ilavalai in 1976.He was mentored by Fr. Rajanaygam over the next twelve years, during which time he obtained his Masters from Hull University and his Doctorate from Southampton University, UK.

In 1989, Msgr. Justin assumed the rector-ship of St. Henry's College. His tenure at St Henry's was arduous. None of his predecessors had faced such a challenge; the exodus of the entirety of Ilavalai in 1992, dispossessing everything they owned was hard to bear. At Manipay he put up cadjan sheds on a leased plot of land, gathered the students and teachers and carried on with the task of imparting education to the displaced. Msgr. Justin organised the school in the premises of St. Nickolas' Church, Mirusuvil. He helpedto bring the school back to Ilavalai, its traditional enclave on March 13, 1996.

He was at St. Henry's for 23 years as vice rector and rector, thus his affinity has been an abiding one with the people and the College at Ilavalai. He celebrated his silver jubilee in1999.

Msgr. Justin returned to his alma mater as Rector of St. Patrick's College, Jaffna . He was elevated to Vicar General of the Jaffna Diocese in 2008. He was appointed Bishop of the Jaffna Diocese in October 2015 and his episcopal consecration took place in October, 2015 at St. Mary's Cathedral Jaffna.

He has a daunting task ahead - healing and rebuilding a war-weary society.