Pope appoints Gnanapragasam Anthonypillai as new Bishop of Mannar

Pope Francis has officially appointed Reverend Gnanapragasam Anthonypillai as the new Bishop of Mannar, following the resignation of Bishop Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando from the pastoral care of the diocese. 

Rev. Anthonypillai, who has been a dedicated member of the Mannar Diocese, has served in various roles since his ordination as a priest on April 7, 1994. 

Born on July 12, 1965, in Adampan, within the diocese of Mannar, he pursued his studies in philosophy and theology at the Saint Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Jaffna.

Throughout his priestly ministry, Rev. Anthonypillai has held several key positions, including Parish Vicar of Murunkan (1994-1996), Secretary to the Bishop (1996-1999), Parish Priest of Cheddikulam (1999-2003), Parish Priest of Pallimunai (2003-2006), Parish Priest of Vankalai (2006-2009), Rector of the Diocesan Minor Seminary (2014-2018) and Parish Priest of Saint Sebastian Cathedral (2018-2021) and Pesalai (2021-2023).

In addition to his pastoral roles, he obtained a licentiate in religious education from Fordham University in New York (2010-2014) and attended a course in youth pastoral care in India in 2022. Since 2023, he has served as the administrator of the Our Lady of Madhu National Shrine in Mannar.