By: Raymond Rajabalan
The sudden demise of Rt.Rev.Dr. Rayappu Joseph, retired Bishop of Mannar Diocese on April 1st has caused great pain and grief among the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and around the globe.
Dr. Rayappu Joseph, the Beacon of Human Rights was born in the island of Delft on April 1940.He had his primary education at the Roman Catholic school in his place of birth followed by his studies at Murungan Maha Vidyalayam. He then joined Jaffna St.Patrick’s college where he contiued his secondary education simultaneously beginning his religious studies at St.Martin’s seminary, Jaffna. He then proceeded to continue his priestly studies at St.Paul’s seminary, Trichy after which he returned to Sri Lanka to complete his studies at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
He was ordained a priest by the then Bishop of Jaffna Rt.Rev. Jerome Emilianus pillai on Dec 13, 1967 at St.Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna.
After a few years of serving in various parishes In Jaffna diocese he proceeded to Rome where he completed his Doctoral studies in Canon Law at the Urban University for Pontifical studies. On his return to Sri Lanka he was appointed a Professor at St.Xavier’s seminary, Jaffna.
A few years later he was consecrated Bishop of Mannar at the Holy shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in 1992 by his predecessor, the then Bishop of Jaffna Dr.Thomas Savundranayagam.
Bishop Rayapputhen continued to provide great service for the Tamil community until his sudden illness in 2015.He retired from active service in early 2016 after which Eneritus Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticola Rt. Rev.Dr. Kingsley Swampillai was appointed by Pope Francis as Apostolic Administrator A few months later, Rt.Rev Dr.Fidelis Lionel Fernando, who had been serving as Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo was appointed the next Bishop of Mannar in November 2017.
Rev. Bishop Rayappu Joseph will be long remembered for his dedicated service to the legitimate aspirations of the Tamils and the humanitarian services he carried out to aid the desperate people until his last breath. Instilling confidence in people left abandoned, he looked after several war-affected orphans and widows in dedicated homes. In the interest of rendering service to the community, he worked for the liberation of oppressed people, transcending the limitations that his religious position boundhim to.
The late Bishop always advocated the right to self-determination and justice for the Tamils. He was a champion, a legend who pursued human rights, justice, dignity and freedom for his people”, reflecting his remarkable nature.
The late Bishop was very open on his views during the civil war in the country. He was mostly seen as being a critic of the military’s conduct during the long drawn out civil war.
Bishop Rayappu worked in close collaboration with the Vatican, international Caritas agencies and countries of the European Union to promote peace in Sri Lanka.
