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| Rt.Rev.Dr.Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam, B.Th, MA, PhD | |
| 8th Bishop of the Diocese of Jaffna. | |
| The Person | |
| Rev Fr Justin Gnanapragasam born on 13 May 1948 St Mary’s Parish, Kayts – Diocese of Jaffna. Ordained Priest on 24 April 1974 in O.L.R Church Jaffna. by the late Bishop Rt Rev Dr Bastiampillai Deogupillai. Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee on 24 April 1999. |
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| Education | |
| University of Southampton, England, Doctorate (Ph D) in Education (1986 – 88). University of Hull, England / Irish School of Ecumenics, Master’s Degree (M A) in Ecumenical Theology (1979 – 1980). Pontifical Athenaeum, Poona, India, Bachelor of Theology (B Th) (1972 – 74). Seminaries – Pontifical Athenaeum, Poona, National Seminary, Kandy, Sri Lanka, and St Martin’s Minor Seminary, Jaffna. Secondary Education – St Patrick’s College, Jaffna, and St Anthony’s College, Kayts. |
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| Appointments | |
| Member, University Council, University of Jaffna (from 1998 – 2014). Evaluator and Examiner of M.Phil & Doctoral theses, University of Jaffna 2002 onwards. Chairman, Student Discipline Committee, University of Jaffna (from 2003-2011). Attained Class I Grade in Sri Lanka College Principals’ Service (1991). Cluster Principal for a group of twelve Government schools (1990 -1994) during Rectorship of St Henry’s College. Rector, St Henry’s College, Ilavalai (1989 – 2002), and previously Vice Rector (1976 -1989). Visiting Lecturer in Christian Civilization at University of Jaffna (1982-1984). Assistant Director, Long Technical Institute, Kilinochchi (1975 -1976). |
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| Diocesan and Parish Assignments | |
| Vicar General – Jaffna diocese (from 2007 till now). Manager- Catholic Press, Jaffna (from 2008 till now). Rector, St Patrick’s College, Jaffna (from 2002-2007). Member, Diocesan Episcopal Council (1994 – 2002) (2007 onwards). Dean (Vicar Forane), Ilavalai Deanery consisting of nine parishes (1994 – 2002). Chairman, Diocesan Commission for Education (1992 – 2002). Visiting Lecturer in Philosophy of Education at St Xavier’s Major Seminary, Jaffna (from 1992 2006). Chairman, Diocesan Commission for Ecumenism (1981-1986). Parish Priest, St. Jude’s Church, Ilavalai (1989-2000 during Rectorship of St.Henry’s College). Parish Priest, Mareesankoodal Mission, Ilavalai (1980 -1985 during Vice Rectorship at St Henry’s College). Assistant Parish Priest, St Anne’s Church, Ilavalai, (1976 – 1979 during Vice Rectorship at St Henry’s College). Assistant Parish Priest, Uruthirapuram Mission & Orphanage, Vanni (1975 -1976 during Long Tech Inst Asst Directorship). First appointment after ordination – Assistant Parish Priest, Kilinochchi & Valaipadu Missions (1974 -1975). |
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| Research and Publications | |
| Catholic Education in Sri Lanka during its first century as a British Colony, 1796 – 1901 (Unpublished Ph D thesis, University of Southampton, England, 1988). The concern for the poor as seen in the life of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches (Unpublished M A Dissertation, University of Hull, England, 1980). A Caring Education for Our Children (University of Jaffna Journal, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 2000). Thoughts on Catholic Bishops’ Social Teaching in the context of United Kingdom General Election, 1987 (Department of Education, University of Southampton, England, 1987). |
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