The Episcopal Consecration of the appointed Bishop of Jaffna, Rev. Msgr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam, vicar general of the same Diocese was held on Saturday 28th November 2015 at St.Mary's Cathedral,Jaffna at 8.30 am.

The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Jaffna ( Sri Lanka), presented by Mons. Thomas Savundaranayagam Emmanuel, in accordance with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law.

The Holy Father appointed Bishop of Jaffna, Rev. Msgr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam, vicar general of the same diocese.

Rev . Msgr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam

The Rev.do Mons. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam was born May 13, 1948, in Karampon, Kayts, in the diocese of Jaffna. After elementary school at St. Anthony's College, in Kayts, he entered the minor seminary of Jaffna, and has continued the secondary school in St. Patrick's College. Has completed training at the National Seminary in Kandy philosophical and theological in the Papal Seminary in Pune, India.
He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Jaffna on April 24, 1974.

After ordination he held the following positions: 1974-1975 : assistant priest in the missions of Kilinochchi and Valaipadu; 1975-1976: assistant priest in the mission of Uruthirapuram; 1976-1979: assistant priest at St. Anne, Ilavalai; 1979-1980: Studies of Ecumenical Theology at the University of Hull, United Kingdom; 1980-1985: parish priest in the mission of Mareesankoodal and Vice-Rector of St. Henry's College; 1986-1989: Studies in Education at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom; 1990-1994: Director of a group of state schools; Rector of St. Henry's College; 1995-2002: Dean of the Deanery of Ilavalai (9 parishes); 1992-2006: Visiting Professor at the major seminary of Jaffna; 2002-2007: Rector, St. Patrick's College, Jaffna;2002: Examiner of doctoral thesis, University of Jaffna; since 2007: Vicar General of Jaffna;since 2008: Director of typography Catholic Jaffna.