The Diocese of Mannar (Latin: Dioecesis Mannarensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese for north-western Sri Lanka, administered by the Bishop of Mannar, currently Fidelis Fernando.[1]
Diocese of Mannar Dioecesis Mannarensis மன்னார் மறைமாவட்டம | |
|---|---|
.jpg) St. Sebastian's Cathedral | |
| Location | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Ecclesiastical province | Colombo |
| Metropolitan | Colombo |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 3,998 km2 (1,544 sq mi) |
| Population - Total - Catholics | (as of 2013) 270,375 89,516 (33.1%) |
| Parishes | 34 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Established | 24 January 1981 |
| Cathedral | St Sebastian’s Cathedral in Mannar |
| Patron saint | Our Lady of Madhu |
| Secular priests | 87 |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Bishop | Fidelis Fernando |
| Metropolitan Archbishop | Malcolm Ranjith |
| Vicar General | Victor Sosai Anthony |
| Map | |
 | |
History edit
The Diocese of Mannar was created on 24 January 1981 from parts of the Diocese of Jaffna.[2] Between 14 January 2016 and 22 November 2017, the position of Bishop remained vacant, the diocese being overseen by Apostolic Administrator and retired Bishop Kingsley Swampillai.[1]
See also edit
Bishops edit
| # | Bishop | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Thomas Savundaranayagam | 1981 | 1992 |
| 2nd | Rayappu Joseph | 1992 | 2016 |
| - | Kingsley Swampillai (as Apostolic Administrator) |
2016 | 2017 |
| 3rd | Fidelis Fernando | 2017 |
Notable Churches edit
- Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu
- St. Sebastian's Cathedral, Mannar
- St.Antony’s Church, Nedunkandal
- Our lady of Refuge Church, Ithikandal
- Our lady of Velankani Church, Thamari Kulam, Adampan
- St.Philip Neto’s Church, Kannady
- The Sacred Heart Church, Adampan
- Our lady of Sorrows Church, Adampan
- St. Antony's Church, Karukkakulam
- Karthar Kovil, Adampan
- St. Joseph Church, Andankulam
- St.Michel’s Church, Tharavankoddai
- St.Joseph Vazz Church, Kallikulam
- St. Francis Xavier Shrine, Velankulam
- St.Lawrence Church, Thalimanar
- Holy Rosary Church, Thalaimannar
- Christ the King Church, Santhapuram
- St.Anne’s Church, Vankalai
References edit
- ^ a b "Sri Lanka: Bp. Fidelis L. E. Fernando new Bishop of Mannar". en.radiovaticana.va. Vatican Radio. 22 Nov 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Diocese of Mannar". GCatholic.